ASU Men’s Golf: Sun Devils recognized for academic excellence

(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)

The ASU Men’s golf team has been rewarded for their work in the classroom. The Sun Devils were recognized by the Pac-12 conference on Wednesday for being in the top ten percent in the country academically for the second consecutive year, according to the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate.

For the second year in a row, Arizona State’s athletic program is second in the Pac-12 for the most teams recognized by the NCAA for high APR scores. Joining men’s golf, baseball, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball were also recognized.

ASU head coach Tim Mickelson praised his team’s commitment on the course and in the classroom.

“This is a special group of guys I have this year,” Mickelson said. “I don’t know if I’ve coached a team that has been so committed to golf, winning tournaments and ultimately a national championship, along with their grades.”

Mickelson said that it’s an honor to be recognized for any athletic or academic achievement, but especially for academics because of the team’s unique travel schedule.

“It’s great to be acknowledged for anything as a team,” he said. “Being on the road so often and with our schedule, I expect some of the guys to struggle with their work more, but they’re always on top of it. It means a lot to me that they’re willing to put so much in.”

Senior Alberto Sanchez thinks that some of the Sun Devils athletic success over the last few years can be attributed to the care the team puts in to their school work.

“When we travel to a tournament it’s really remarkable how much effort everyone puts in to being able to focus on golf and playing as well as possible,” Sanchez said. “We never have any problems focusing on what’s at hand. I absolutely think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been so successful over the past few years.”