May 13, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's golf assistant coach Casey Lubahn was chosen as a finalist for the 2008 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf, announced recently by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

The Strickland Award, which signifies the men's collegiate golf assistant coach of the year, recognizes the coach who stands out in their efforts to develop their student-athletes both on and off the course. Assistant coaches from NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA are eligible.

"Obviously it is an honor to be selected as a finalist for this prestigious award," said Lubahn. "I believe that any recognition that we receive as coaches reflects the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, and the support of our administration led by Mark Hollis and our sport administrator Greg Ianni.

"I want to thank the GCAA, Coach Puryear and everyone who helps to make our program the best it can be."

Lubahn, a 2004 graduate and three-year letterwinner for Michigan State, is in his third season as an assistant coach with the Spartans and has been instrumental in MSU's back-to-back Big Ten Championships and NCAA Regional appearances. This season, the Spartans are currently ranked No. 20 in the nation by Golfweek/Sagarin and are a No. 8 seed in the upcoming NCAA East Regional. MSU has won two team titles and eight top-five finishes in 11 events this season. Individually, three Spartans were named All-Big Ten selections and in all, have five individual titles and 13 top-five finishes.

Aside from Lubahn, the other eight finalists are Alan Bratton of Oklahoma State, Michael Burcin of South Carolina, Walter Chun of California, Jonathan Dismuke of Mississippi, Marty McCauley of Texas Tech, Christian Newton of Georgia Tech, Adam Pry of Charlotte and Bryce Wallor of Tennessee.

The Strickland Award recipient will have the opportunity to further their professional development by being a guest of TaylorMade-adidas golf at the PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit, as well as an invitation to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Kingdom in Carlsbad, Calif. TaylorMade-adidas has sponsored the Strickland Award since its inception in 2003.