Albany, NY---- The Sage Colleges' department of athletics recently honored members of the varsity teams at the Athletic Awards Banquet.  Senior golfer Dan Schulz (Broadalbin, NY/Broadlbin-Perth), a member of the golf team at Sage was named the recipient of the 2011-2012 Gator Award as team Most Valuable Player. In addition to his award, Schulz was also cited as the 2011-2012 Male Athlete of the Year.

Schulz helped lead the young Gator men's golf program to the best finish in the young history of the program as they took home the runner-up title, garnered the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award, and Schulz was one of two Sage golfers to earn first team honors at the league's championship event.

Head men's golf coach Luke Scala said of Schulz, "It was a pleasure to coach Dan Schulz!" Scala added, "Any time you have a self motivator, a player with a tremendous work ethic, and as a gentlemen on an off the golf course, it made my job as a coach very easy.  He is the type of player that one would hope their own son or daughter would grow up to be.  I know Dan will be very successful in his life's work and who is ever lucky enough to hire him they will surely see the same qualities that I did."

Not only was he recognized for his efforts on the course, but for his outstanding contributions in the classroom.  He was named to Sage's Athletic Honor Society at the banquet. In addition, Schulz was selected as a member of the 2011 Skyline Conference all Academic Honor Roll.  The academic honor roll is comprised of all student-athletes, who have earned a 3.30 GPA or better in the fall semester. In addition, a Scholar-Athlete of the Year in each sport is awarded to the First Team All-Skyline Conference performer, who carries the highest Grade Point Average for the fall semester. Schulz distinguished himself as the 2011 Skyline Conference Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Schulz, who is a physical education major at Sage, attained a 3.947 gpa this past fall semester and in addition to earning acclaim from the Skyline Conference for his prowess in the classroom and on the course, was also named to Sage's Scholar-Athlete First Team.

Senior Ian Pingelski (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), a member of the men's golf team at Sage was named the recipient of the Leadership Award for his efforts on and off the course as the team captain.

Scala said of Pingelski, "Ian won the leadership award and deservedly so!" Scala added, "A successful team has input coming from both the coach and the team's captain and with Ian Sage had just that.  To have as young of a team as we did and to have them accomplish so much in such a short span of time is a credit to Ian's abilities to keep the team motivated, working hard, and focused on their studies. 

Over the course of his time with Sage, Pingelski was instrumental in the team garnering a number of Championships at several meets over the last two seasons. Among the highest feats the Gators achieved this year was the Skyline Conference Runner-up Trophy, while also being voted as the recipient of the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award.

Scala continued on Pingelski, "Division III in the NCAA is the toughest of all divisions because it requires a delicate balance between studies and athletics.  Ian was able to walk this line extremely well and I thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to the team."

Sophomore Zach Sullivan (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Lake), a member of the men's golf team at Sage was named the recipient of the Rookie of the Year Award.

Scala said of Sullivan, "Zach received the team's Rookie of the Year award after really improving his performance over the year." Scala added, "He started out the season as a non-starter on a very strong college golf team.  Through hard work and a love for the game he moved himself into the 5^th spot heading to the Skyline Championship.  I can remember on the first day the whole team gathered around the green waiting for this rookie to sink his final putt on the 18^th hole, a 78 at Bethpage Red.  Now that's what the Rookie of the Year is supposed to do."

Sullivan was an important performer in the team's 2011 Skyline Conference Runner-up finish and was selected to the Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team for his efforts on the course after shooting a 158 at the two-day tournament. Sage was also the recipient of the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award in men's golf for the manner in which the team handled themselves on and off the course at the championship as voted by the league's coaches.

Scala noted, "However to follow it up the next day with a smooth round of 80 and just miss the Rookie of the Year from the Skyline Conference by one shot is why Zach is our Rookie of the Year."