San Antonio – The St. Mary’s University men’s golf team has once again been honored as one of the nation’s finest academically.

Golf Coaches Association of America recently recognized the Rattlers as one of the outstanding academic golf programs in NCAA Division II for the 2009-10 school year. St. Mary’s, of course, won the association’s national academic championship in men’s golf in 2009.

GCAA recognizes those outstanding golf programs that compile a team grade-point average of 3.0 and higher. In all, 113 golf programs from NCAA Divisions I, II and III, and NAIA and NJCAA were recognized by GCAA for the award this past school year.

“Our Marianists, they believe in academic excellence,” coach Wes Skidmore said. “Here’s a good example. It’s just a tribute to our student-athletes, because as much time as you put into your athletic sport you also have to put in that time in the classroom. This just shows that they do that.

“I guess you could say they’re upholding the belief our Marianists instill.”

Earlier this year, senior golfers Matt Vela (San Antonio) and Jeff Rein (San Antonio) were named NCAA Division II Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars by GCAA. They were two of just 55 Division II golfers to earn the national honor.

Vela, an exercise and sport science major, had maintained a 3.32 GPA, while Rein, a marketing major, had a 3.20 GPA.

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