Junior golfer Eric Ansett picked up his game on the course this season, but he was recently recognized for his work in the classroom as well.
Ansett was given the honor of the Atlantic Sun’s Men’s Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the Golf Championship banquet. He becomes the first Bison to ever win the award in men’s golf.
Ansett currently has a 3.71 grade point average as he finished out his third year as a Journalism and New Media major at Lipscomb. The Spokane, WA, native was a member of the All-Academic team last year, but he laid claim to the top academic honor this year.
Despite last year’s selection, Ansett was still surprised to receive the award.
“I was not expecting the award at all, but it was still an honor to receive it,” Ansett said. “I think it’s something to be proud of, to excel on the course and in the classroom, but to be recognized for it is just an extra bonus. There were probably plenty of other guys who deserved it just as much.”
Ansett kept this attitude as he discussed how he keeps his grades up.
“I wouldn’t say I have a secret formula or anything, but when you miss so much school, I have found two things to be crucial,” Ansett said. “First, don’t be afraid to meet with your teachers to go over things. They are always there to help. And second, pick good friends who will always take good notes for you. Those two things will literally save your life.”
Ansett wants to be a sports journalist one day and enjoys combining both the scholar and athlete side in some of his work.
“I think I can speak for most college athletes when I say that my sport is my passion, but I’ve been able to incorporate that in my Journalism major which helps. When you enjoy what you are learning, motivation becomes less of an issue.”
Ansett said having an academic, athletic and social life in college can make it difficult to properly balance responsibilities.
“You’ve got golf and then school and then friends on top of that, and I honestly believe there are times when each one of those should be the first priority,” Ansett noted. “So time management becomes crucial and being 100 percent present wherever you are. You don’t want to be thinking about academics on the golf course or vice versa.”
Ansett excelled not only in the classroom, but on the course as well this season. He finished the regular season with two finishes in the top-five and four in the top ten. His scoring average was 72.28 which ranks him fifth overall in the ASUN.
Ansett along with the rest of the men’s golf team are currently playing in the NCAA Regionals. The tournament is being hosted at the Grove Golf Club in College Grove, Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics