Owings Mills, Md. (August 5) – The Stevenson University men's golf program was recognized for its excellence in the classroom by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), earning the 2025-26 PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Award, while junior Leo Perez was named a 2025-26 NCAA Division III Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar.

Stevenson was one of 28 NCAA Division III institutions to receive the PLATFORM Golf Team Academic Award, which recognizes programs that achieve exceptional success in the classroom. The Mustangs earned Presidents Special Recognition after posting a team grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the 2025-26 academic year. Across all collegiate divisions, a GCAA-record 331 schools received the Team Academic Award, while 155 programs earned Presidents Special Recognition.

In addition to the team honor, Perez earned national recognition as a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar. The award is presented to student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence both academically and athletically. To qualify, nominees must be a sophomore, junior, or senior academically and athletically, compete in at least 50 percent of their team's competitive rounds, maintain a stroke average below 79.0 in NCAA Division III competition, and carry a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2 while remaining in good standing at their institution.

Perez was Stevenson men's golf's lone recipient of the individual honor, joining 250 NCAA Division III student-athletes from 91 institutions recognized by the GCAA during the 2025-26 academic year.

Throughout the season, Perez showcased the consistency and performance that made him deserving of the national recognition, recording four top-10 finishes, including a 10th-place finish at the MAC Commonwealth Championships. He led the Mustangs at the Cardinal Fall Classic, carding a two-round score of 146 (+2), highlighted by a 71 (-1) performance in the second round. At the MAC Commonwealth Championships, Perez delivered a memorable moment by recording an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole during the second round, finishing with a 75 (+3) and earning his 12th sub-80 outing in 19 rounds played. He capped off the season with an adjusted scoring average of 77.7, demonstrating his ability to consistently compete at a high level throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

The pair of awards reflects the continued commitment of the Stevenson men's golf program to success on the course and in the classroom, as the Mustangs earned recognition both collectively and individually from the GCAA for their academic achievements during the 2025-26 season.