The word "student" in the phrase "student-athlete" often gets lost in many collegiate athletic programs around the country.
But that is not the case with the Dodge City Community College men's golf program and coach Casey Malek.
For the third year in a row, the DCCC men's golf team, after accumulating a 3.56 grade point average, has earned the title of the National Junior College Athletic Association's Spring Academic Team of the Year in men's golf.
It's an honor that Malek said he deserves little credit for.
"What it's a testament to is our kids really embracing the role of a student-athlete," Malek said. "When we're gone, we miss a lot of school, so our kids understand that they are responsible for the work that they miss."
For 19 consecutive years, Malek has led the Conquistadors to an appearance in the NJCAA National Championship tournament. The Conqs have also won numerous district and conference championships under Malek.
But the East Chicago, Ind., native, who is entering his 20th season at the helm of the men's golf program, said he is even more proud of another streak of success.
The golf team has earned at least a 3.0 GPA in 38 straight semesters and has produced three Academic All-Americans.
Malek said he no longer uses study tables or any other monitoring system to keep an eye on his players' habits and work ethics in the classroom. He instead credits a policy he imposes on his team.
"If you do not go to class, you're not going to play, no ifs, ands or buts," Malek said. "It is nonnegotiable."
Malek said he has left players home from tournaments because they weren't working hard off the golf course.
The team's success in the classroom not only reflects well on the program, but also on the entire athletic department, DCCC athletic director Howie Smith said.
"Our goal is to get our students out of DCCC with a two-year degree," he said. "I feel like our school has put together the ingredients to ensure that our students can succeed if they want to."
Smith is also the college's head softball coach, which earned a 3.2 GPA during the spring semester. He said his teams' successes in the classroom outweighs any win they have had on the field.
"In my 18 years, I'm no more proud when my kids walk across that stage and get their diploma than the 488 wins I have had here at Dodge City Community College," he said.
As for Malek, he said he hopes his program will continue to excel at the highest level both on and off the course.
"Can it be something that we can keep up?" Malek said. "Well, we'll see. It's all about recruiting the right students in here that want to do the work."
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The word "student" in the phrase "student-athlete" often gets lost in many collegiate athletic programs around the country.
But that is not the case with the Dodge City Community College men's golf program and coach Casey Malek.
For the third year in a row, the DCCC men's golf team, after accumulating a 3.56 grade point average, has earned the title of the National Junior College Athletic Association's Spring Academic Team of the Year in men's golf.
It's an honor that Malek said he deserves little credit for.
"What it's a testament to is our kids really embracing the role of a student-athlete," Malek said. "When we're gone, we miss a lot of school, so our kids understand that they are responsible for the work that they miss."
For 19 consecutive years, Malek has led the Conquistadors to an appearance in the NJCAA National Championship tournament. The Conqs have also won numerous district and conference championships under Malek.
But the East Chicago, Ind., native, who is entering his 20th season at the helm of the men's golf program, said he is even more proud of another streak of success.
The golf team has earned at least a 3.0 GPA in 38 straight semesters and has produced three Academic All-Americans.
Malek said he no longer uses study tables or any other monitoring system to keep an eye on his players' habits and work ethics in the classroom. He instead credits a policy he imposes on his team.
"If you do not go to class, you're not going to play, no ifs, ands or buts," Malek said. "It is nonnegotiable."
Malek said he has left players home from tournaments because they weren't working hard off the golf course.
The team's success in the classroom not only reflects well on the program, but also on the entire athletic department, DCCC athletic director Howie Smith said.
"Our goal is to get our students out of DCCC with a two-year degree," he said. "I feel like our school has put together the ingredients to ensure that our students can succeed if they want to."
Smith is also the college's head softball coach, which earned a 3.2 GPA during the spring semester. He said his teams' successes in the classroom outweighs any win they have had on the field.
"In my 18 years, I'm no more proud when my kids walk across that stage and get their diploma than the 488 wins I have had here at Dodge City Community College," he said.
As for Malek, he said he hopes his program will continue to excel at the highest level both on and off the course.
"Can it be something that we can keep up?" Malek said. "Well, we'll see. It's all about recruiting the right students in here that want to do the work."
