To earn the prestigious Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar award, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2. For CSUN men's golf senior Liam Judkins, that number reflects more than just academic achievement — it showcases his dedication, perseverance and balanced approach to life as a student and athlete. On Monday, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced that Judkins met the rigorous criteria, making him the 11th Matador to earn the honor in recent years.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Judkins contributed to the team by participating in at least half of its competitive rounds. He posted a solid scoring average of 75.11, which helped him secure a top 10 finish at the Air Force Silver Invitational. There, he tied for third place with a final score of 9-under 208, shooting rounds of 70-68-70. His performance in this event highlights his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
CSUN head coach Jim Bracken praised Judkins not only for his on-course performance but for the leadership he brings to the team. “Liam is such a great example of what a student-athlete should be,” Bracken said. “He’s one of our team leaders and is a great role model for the other guys on our team.” Despite facing some injury setbacks during the previous season, Bracken is optimistic about Judkins’ return to full form in the 2026 season.
The list of honorees for the 2025-26 awards includes 649 athletes from 210 NCAA Division I schools. Delaware, East Carolina and Lamar each tied for the most recipients with six student-athletes recognized. For CSUN, the program had a program-high five honors in 2022-23, with four in 2021-22. Judkins’ addition to the 2025-26 roster shows continued progress and strength in the Matador golf program.
To qualify for the award, individuals must meet a set of specific requirements. They must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically and maintain a GPA of at least 3.2. Athletes must also participate in at least 50% of the team's competitive rounds, post a scoring average under 76.0 and demonstrate strong character and standing within their university. Judkins' achievement underscores his ability to meet and exceed these high standards.
