Ryggs Johnston is the second Sun Devil Men's Golfer in program history to earn Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, according to an announcement by the league office Thursday morning, ahead of the Pac-12 Championships.
Johnston is the first Sun Devil of the 2022-23 athletic year to earn a Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a specific sport. He also is the first men's golfer at ASU honored since 2009-10, when Knut Borsheim was recognized. Johnston's recognition is also the third straight season a Sun Devil male or female golfer has been honored, with Olivia Mehaffey (2020-21) and Alexandra Forsterling (2022) gaining recognition.
Across all sports, Johnston is the 40th Sun Devil to earn Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The total is the second-most among Pac-12 institutions.
"We are so happy for Ryggs, he has been a model student-athlete during his time at ASU with perfect grades and success on the golf course since freshman year," said Associate Head Coach Thomas Sutton. "He has not only taken his school seriously but he has also been a tutor and a positive influence on his teammates with their studies. He has shown that you can be an elite college golfer and also excel at school, which makes him the perfect candidate for Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year!"
A senior, Johnston has a perfect 4.00 grade-point average in business management. He will graduate in May with his management degree and a certificate in sports business.
Johnston is a two-time GCAA All-America Scholar (2021-22) and twice been a member of the Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022).
On the course, Johnston has played in every tournament this season for the Sun Devils and placed in the top 15 three times. For his career, he holds a 71.5 scoring average with 19 top 20 results and 10 top 10 finishes, highlighted by a pair of top 5s at the 2021 Pac-12 (T-4th) and NCAA (3rd) Championships. For his efforts, he was named to the GCAA Third Team All-America team.
In order to be eligible for the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must be a senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least 50 percent of the scheduled contests in the sport and have a minimum one year in residence at the institution. Each Pac-12 institution may nominate one individual per sport, and the winners are selected by a committee of Pac-12 staff members at the conclusion of each sport's regular season. The athletics accomplishments of the nominees are a consideration in voting for the award.
Johnston is the first Sun Devil of the 2022-23 athletic year to earn a Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a specific sport. He also is the first men's golfer at ASU honored since 2009-10, when Knut Borsheim was recognized. Johnston's recognition is also the third straight season a Sun Devil male or female golfer has been honored, with Olivia Mehaffey (2020-21) and Alexandra Forsterling (2022) gaining recognition.
Across all sports, Johnston is the 40th Sun Devil to earn Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The total is the second-most among Pac-12 institutions.
"We are so happy for Ryggs, he has been a model student-athlete during his time at ASU with perfect grades and success on the golf course since freshman year," said Associate Head Coach Thomas Sutton. "He has not only taken his school seriously but he has also been a tutor and a positive influence on his teammates with their studies. He has shown that you can be an elite college golfer and also excel at school, which makes him the perfect candidate for Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year!"
A senior, Johnston has a perfect 4.00 grade-point average in business management. He will graduate in May with his management degree and a certificate in sports business.
Johnston is a two-time GCAA All-America Scholar (2021-22) and twice been a member of the Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2021, 2022).
On the course, Johnston has played in every tournament this season for the Sun Devils and placed in the top 15 three times. For his career, he holds a 71.5 scoring average with 19 top 20 results and 10 top 10 finishes, highlighted by a pair of top 5s at the 2021 Pac-12 (T-4th) and NCAA (3rd) Championships. For his efforts, he was named to the GCAA Third Team All-America team.
In order to be eligible for the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must be a senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least 50 percent of the scheduled contests in the sport and have a minimum one year in residence at the institution. Each Pac-12 institution may nominate one individual per sport, and the winners are selected by a committee of Pac-12 staff members at the conclusion of each sport's regular season. The athletics accomplishments of the nominees are a consideration in voting for the award.