The Fairfield University men's and women's golf programs are both ranked among the best in the nation for academics, according to the Golf Digest's Second Annual College Golf Guide.

"This ranking is confirmation of the fact that Fairfield is a strong academic institution and that our golf program is competitive," said Len Roberto, head coach for both the men's and women's programs.

Golf Digest ranked all 772 NCAA men's programs and all 500 women's program's on six categories. The Stag women ranked 20th for 'Academics First' institutions, while the men were 35th in the 'Academics First' rankings. 'Academics First' is a ranking of schools that "provide the absolute best education and an opportunity to play."

"The first priority I have for our golf program is that all of our student-athletes graduate," Roberto stated. "We pride ourselves on the fact that student-athletes who attend Fairfield receive a great education, as well as a competitive athletic experience."

The two Stag programs are the second rated academic golf programs in the state of Connecticut, trailing only Yale University.

The women are the 10th ranked Division I school in the rankings, ahead of schools like William and Mary, Bucknell and Lehigh. Seven of the nine Division I schools that are ranked in front of the Stags are from the Ivy League, including top ranked Princeton and Yale, ranked second.

The men are the 14th ranked Division I school, ahead of Ivy League member Brown, as well as Bucknell and Lafayette. Once again a majority of the school's ahead of Fairfield in the rankings, seven, were Ivy League members, with Princeton first and Yale third.

The program's scored in the top 20 percent in two categories; academics, with an 86, and coaches/facilities, with a rating of 80. The rankings used those two categories, as well as four others: team adjusted scoring average, player growth (improved, declined and rate), and climate.

Posted On: 08-16-2006 10:08 AM

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