The Valparaiso University men’s golf program has announced the addition of Brett Seward (Aurora, Ill. / Aurora Christian High School), who has signed his National Letter of the Intent to join the Crusaders for the 2017-18 season.

Seward fits right into the program’s model of bringing in individuals who excel both on the course and in the classroom. He owns a 3.87 cumulative high school grade point average, is a four-time Northeastern Athletic Conference All-Academic honoree and a Dunham Scholar. Those distinctions help make him a perfect fit for a program that finished the 2015-16 season as the Division I Academic National Champion, boasting the highest team GPA of all Division I programs nationwide.

Seward, who plans to major in finance or pre-med, has also thrived athletically during his time at Aurora Christian. He is a four-year varsity letterwinner, four-time NAC All-Conference honoree and is a two-time individual conference champion, taking the league title in both his junior and senior seasons. Seward reached state as a freshman, sophomore and senior and helped his team finish as the Class 1A state runner-up during his senior season.

“When you look at the amount of individual and team victories that he has been a part of over the years on the golf course, along with the dedication that Brett puts toward his studies, he is a fitting example of the type of student-athlete that our program embodies,” Gring said. “Brett will make a strong impact for us both on the golf course and in the classroom.”

The newest Crusader has racked up victories in IJGA, MAJGT and U.S. Kids Tours along with high school tournaments during his junior career. Seward is the son of Jim and Sherri Seward, and his father Jim is a Valpo graduate.

“This is a little extra special in the sense that Brett’s dad is an alum of Valpo,” Gring said. “What a thrill it must be to have your son attend the same university. Brett has a tremendous family that encourages him every day, and he also receives exceptional support from his friends and coaches.”                                                    

Seward joins an incoming freshman class that also includes Hamilton Southeastern seniors Drew Alexander and Jack Juskow.

“Brett has numerous strengths within his game, but his short-game discipline and results are very sharp,” Gring said. “He has a putting green in his basement at home and spends a lot of time working on both speed drills and putts of varying lengths. Another item that impressed me with Brett’s game is the maturity that he shows on the golf course with his course management. He plays to his strengths very well.”