SUNY Orange’s Seamus Smith, a standout on the Colts men’s golf team who captured the Region XV championship this Spring, has been named the SUNY Scholar Athlete of the Year for men’s golf, recognizing his achievements in both the classroom and on the course.

A graduate of Goshen High School, Smith played several sports, including lacrosse, basketball and football. Despite standing 6-foot-2, his passion was football, where he excelled as a kicker. After enrolling at SUNY Orange, he joined the golf team and quickly became what the College’s golf coach, Richard Giordano calls "The Cinderella Kid."

Giordano said, "Seamus became our Cinderella Kid. He came into the season as a late addition to the team and wasn't expected to contend for a championship. But he put in the work, grew more confident and, when the regional tournament arrived, he played the best golf of his life. He truly came out of nowhere to win the regional title and earn Regional Player of the Year."

To be nominated for the SUNY Scholar Athlete Award, a student-athlete must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.30. The award recognizes student-athletes from SUNY colleges and universities sponsoring intercollegiate athletics at both the two-year and four-year levels. Nominees are evaluated on academic achievement, athletic performance and honors earned throughout their collegiate careers.

Smith, an accounting major, completed the Fall semester with a 4.0 grade point average and earned a 3.92 GPA in the Spring, resulting in a 3.96 cumulative GPA. On the course, he captured the Region XV championship, was named Region XV Player of the Year and First Team All-Region, and qualified for and competed in the NJCAA National Championships in Chautauqua, New York, June 1-5. Although he did not achieve the results he had hoped for, he said his scores improved during the final two rounds.

After spending considerable one-on-one time with SUNY Orange Athletics Director Brian Burns during the tournament, Smith said, "He gave me some good advice and told me not to get too high or too low (emotionally) and that will produce the best outcomes."

Not long after returning home, Smith learned he had been named the SUNY Scholar Athlete of the Year for men’s golf.

“My family has always golfed, but I never took it seriously until this year,” Smith said. “Turns out, I’m pretty good at it.”

In fact, Smith’s father, James, is Middletown High School’s varsity golf coach.

“He was my first coach and got me into playing,” said Smith.

Giordano said, "The biggest change in Seamus wasn't his talent, it was his confidence. We worked on every aspect of his game, from his driver to course management and decision-making. Once he started trusting himself and playing smarter golf, everything began to come together."

A member of the Honors Program at SUNY Orange, Smith is exploring several options for his next step, including transferring to another college, changing majors or returning to football as a kicker.

Asked what it is like to be part of the Honors Program, he answered, “They are a good group of people. The program itself is a different approach and I enjoy it. Professor Torda does a great job, and you can tell she really cares about all of us and our accomplishments. She takes the time to help and encourage everyone.”

Student-athletes seeking an opportunity to compete while pursuing their academic goals can learn more about SUNY Orange Athletics and admission opportunities by contacting the Admissions Office at (845) 341-4030 or email apply@sunyorange.edu.

“I chose SUNY Orange because it was close to home, it made sense, and now, I like it here a lot,” he said. “I would tell anyone considering enrolling here to do it. You won’t regret it. Everyone has a place here.”