Jordan Millice

Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg University men's golf standout Jordan Millice, class of 2012 from Cable, Ohio, was hoping for big things at the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournament. Before he and his teammates had even teed off, however, Millice received perhaps the most significant individual honor scheduled to be awarded this week.

The NCAA hands out an Elite 88 Award to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average participating at the finals site for each of the association's 88 championships each year. Millice carries a 3.94 grade point average while excelling for one of the top 20 teams in NCAA Division III, including a first-place finish in the Wittenberg Spring Invitational, which included a second-round 68 (second-lowest round in school history) and a two-round 142.

That performance was key for the Tigers, who wrapped up their first North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship since 1992 two weeks later to earn their first NCAA Division III Tournament berth since 1993. For the season, Millice has a stroke average of 77.4, fifth-best on the team.

Each championship's Elite 88 Award is presented in an effort to "recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers." Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school.

Written by: Ryan Maurer
Photo by: Erin Pence

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