Valparaiso University men’s golf senior Mitchell Wittmann (Kaukauna, Wis. / Kaukauna) added one more academic and athletic accomplishment to his collegiate resume as the Missouri Valley Conference unveiled its 2019 Scholar-Athlete teams on Friday.

Wittmann was named to the First Team in recognition of his accomplishments on the golf course and in the classroom, where he holds a 3.97 GPA in finance.

“Mitch has been a tremendous leader for our team over these past four years, both on the course and in the classroom,” head coach Dave Gring said. “When you consider all of the demands that are required of our student-athletes throughout the year, it is yet another exemplary performance by Mitch. When you multiple that times four years, it is truly a meritorious body of work. He is well-deserving of this award.”

A 2018 MVC Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention and a member of the 2017 Horizon League All-Academic Team, Wittmann was recognized at Valpo’s academic honors banquet this year, earning the department’s Finishing at the Top Award, which is presented to a senior student-athlete with a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or higher. Three years ago, Wittmann was part of the Valpo team that led the Division-I nation in team grade point average.

“Our team identity has always been to be champions of distinction – special talents and uniqueness – blending high achievements in the classroom and a winning attitude and performance on the golf course. Mitch was a freshman when our team was the Division I Academic National Champions, finishing with the best GPA among all DI golf programs in the country. He has also been an integral part of our team improving every year in our team scores and tournament finishes. His individual performance every year has been a testament to that fact.”

Wittmann finished his Valpo career with a 77.00 scoring average. He averaged 76.00 over 33 rounds this season and completed 109 rounds of golf over his collegiate tenure. Wittmann carded a 69 (-3) in the first round of the Golfweek Program Challenge on Sept. 9 for his season low round, matching his career best. He was a senior captain this season and served as a leader while being joined by two freshmen and two sophomores in Valpo’s starting lineup.

Away from the course, Wittmann is a member of Valpo’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in addition to serving as the treasurer of Valpo’s Student Alumni Association, where he enhances the relationship between current students and alumni. In addition, he is a member of the Financial Management Association on campus. He has served the community by volunteering his time mentoring junior golfers from first through eighth grades during the summer. Earlier this season, he was featured as part of the MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight.

“This was our second year in a very competitive conference,” Gring said. “There are a lot of smart guys playing golf at a high level in the MVC. It’s guys like Mitch who keep our standards high and push their teammates to be their best. We wish Mitch all of the best with the next chapter of his life and career.” 

Men’s Golf Scholar-Athlete First Team
Drake Bushong, Bradley
Brad Carpenter, Missouri State
Kory Franks, Missouri State
Michael Mounce, Bradley
David Perkins, Illinois State
Peyton Wilhoit, Southern Illinois
Mitchell Wittmann, Valparaiso
Hunter York, Southern Illinois 

Men’s Golf Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention
Daniel Lensing, Bradley
Lukas McCalla, Missouri State
Carter Stochl, UNI
Orion Yamat, Loyola