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JR

 

Posted Monday, Dec. 20, 2004

 

Yestingsmeier Named GCAA Honor Award Recipient

Former Ball State Coach given prestigious
 

NORMAN, Okla. ?

Earl Yestingsmeier, former head men?s golf coach at Ball State, has been named the Golf Coaches Association of America Honor Award winner for 2004. Yestingsmeier will be formally recognized on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2004, at the GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Banquet in New Orleans, La. The Honor Award is presented annually to a member of the GCAA Hall of Fame who is retired from coaching and has made a significant contribution to the game of golf.

In his 36 seasons at Ball State, Yestingsmeier claimed 107 tournament titles, including six conference championships. His teams earned 11 NCAA Championships appearances, finishing in the top 20 on six occasions. Yestingsmeier has also served on many GCAA committees and served as the Associations president from 1994-96.

 

Perhaps Yestingsmeier?s greatest contribution to the GCAA was his role in founding the GCAA All-America Scholar program. The GCAA first began honoring student-athletes for their combined success on the course and in the classroom in 1984 and Yestingsmeier served as the selection committee chairman from its inception until 1990 and again in 1996. Hundreds of student-athletes have been recognized under this program.

A native of Evansville, Ind., Yestingsmeier graduated from Ball State in 1955 and received his master?s degree from BSU in 1958. Upon his graduation, he coached and taught one year in South Bend, Ind., before returning to Ball State. Yestingsmeier, who spent 32 years in the dual role as Ball State?s sports information director and golf coach, resigned his SID position in 1990 to concentrate solely on his golf duties.