SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – JJ Cooney of the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team has been named to the 2020 Academic All-District® VII Men's At-Large Team, selected by CoSIDA, according to an announcement today (May 21, 2020).

The All-District selections by CoSIDA recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.  

 

Cooney, a senior from Pickstown, S.D., was selected first-team Academic All-District® and will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. Academic All-America® honorees which will be announced from June 16-19.

Cooney, who was named USF's Male Student Athlete of the Year on April 27, graduated Cum Laude (3.78 GPA) in May with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Studies. He will be enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program this fall as he will complete his final year of athletic competition at USF. 

He was also among the 32 student-athletes named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Male and Honor student-athlete nominees. To be an honor athlete, Cooney needed a 3.5 or better  grade point average, exhibited evidence of academic excellence beyond the minimum grade point average (scholarship prizes and other academic recognition), participated in the life of the institution, and competed in at least two-thirds of the varsity events of the individual's primary sport. The award is voted on by NSIC Faculty Athletic Representatives.

Cooney competed in six events in 2019-20 and totaled 13 rounds of golf. Cooney, who ranked fifth in the NSIC with a 73.54 round average, carded a best round of 69 which came in the second round of play at the Watkins Invitational, as he won the competition in a playoff while recording a program-best two-round total of 140 (71-69).

A three-time All-NSIC golfer, he had three top-10 finishes in 2019-20 and now has 16 top-10 finishes in his career with five top-five finishes and an individual title. Twice, Cooney led USF to eighth place finishes at the NSIC Championships with a fifth place team finish in 2018-19. Due to the end of the spring sport season due to the COVID-19, USF did not participate in a championship this spring. In his career, he has made 5,454 shots in 73 rounds for a 74.71 career stroke average.

Cooney finished with four rounds at or under par which was the best on the squad. Cooney is also a three-time Academic All-NSIC selection who received the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award for a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

The son of Tom and Deb Cooney, JJ was also named the Vucurevich School of Business Outstanding Entrepreneurial Studies Senior during the Spirit of Excellence presentation in May.