2017 Finalists Announced for Division III Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips

NORMAN, Okla. – Division III finalists for the Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips have been announced by the GCAA. The Williams Award honors the national coach of the year in Division III men’s golf. Williams Award and regional coach of the year recipients will be announced June 5.

The five finalists are Jordan Cox of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Carnegie Mellon’s Dan Rodgers, Jeff Roope of Wittenberg, Huntingdon’s David Schreyer, and Emory’s John Sjoberg. If a team wins the NCAA Championship and its coach was not previously named a finalist for the Dave Williams Award that coach will be added for coach of the year consideration.

Cox is in his second season at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Under his leadership the Cru tied for first or won outright seven of 10 events, including five straight. In its three other starts, Mary Hardin-Baylor finished runner-up and fourth twice. Cox was previously named American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year.

After beginning the season on an interim basis, Rodgers was appointed Carnegie Mellon full-time head coach in December. He led the Tartans to their only second ever NCAA Championships appearance and first since 2009. They claimed three tournament titles and were runner-up three additional events. Carnegie Mellon only place outside the top six once in 11 events.

Roope has led Wittenberg to five victories this season. The Tigers posted five additional top four finishes, including two runner-up showings. They finished outside the top four only once in 11 events. Roope was named both the men’s and women’s North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Schreyer and Huntingdon closed the regular season ranked first in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll, a spot it has held for eight straight rankings. The Hawks boasted five team victories on the season. Their worst finish in nine events was tied for fourth, which it posted twice. Schreyer was previously named USA South Conferece Coach of the Year.

Champions of the University Athletic Association, Sjoberg also led Emory to victory at the Callaway Gardens Invitational. Emory, who are currently ranked third in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll, has only placed outside the top five once in nine tournaments. Four Eagles were named all UAA, including Matt Organisak, who was the league’s Player and Rookie of the Year.