Valparaiso University Men's Golf

Gring was named Valparaiso University's head mens golf coach in June of 2011.  A two-time Horizon League Coach of the Year (2013; 2015), he enters his sixth season at the helm of the Crusader program in 2016-17. The 2015-16 season saw Gring guide the Crusaders to their third consecutive season with an average team scoring average below 300. Along the way, Peter Webb set a new program record for lowest individual scoring average, while both Webb and Nick Seitz earned All-League accoladdes for a second straight season. Just as importantly, in the classroom, the 2015-16 squad posted a team GPA of 3.755 - the best of any Division I men's golf program in the nation. Gring led the Crusaders to perhaps their best all-around season in program history during the 2014-15 campaign. Named Horizon League Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the regular season, Gring guided Valpo as it set a new program record for four-man team scoring average at 296.2 - three strokes clear of second place. In addition, the Crusaders broke every individual and team tournament record during the 2014-15 season, while Valpo's top three golfers posted the top-three individual single-season scoring averages to that point in program history. The Crusaders claimed team titles at the CSU Cougar Classic and the Wright State Invitational, defeating each of the other six Horizon League institutions at the latter tournament, and also earned a runner-up finish at the Whistling Straits Intercollegiate. Gring has taken the Crusader men's golf program to new heights in his time at the helm, including leading Valpo to the team title at the 2013 Horizon League Championship.  The Crusaders have earned five team tournament titles in his time as head coach - in addition to the Horizon League title and the two trophies in 2014-15, Valpo has claimed the Purdue Midwest Shootout (2012) and the Bradley Invitational (2013). The individuals under Gring's tutelage have also enjoyed success over his tenure. In that time, four Crusaders have earned individual medalist honors at tournaments, including Thomas Wettstein claiming the individual title at the Horizon League Championship in 2013.  10 individuals have picked up runner-up finishes over that time as well.  At the league level, seven Crusaders have earned All-Horizon League honors, while Peter Webb was tabbed the league's Freshman of the Year in 2014.  Eight times, a Crusader has been named the Horizon League Golfer of the Week. Gring's squads have also enjoyed a tremendous amount of success in the classroom as well.  As a team, the Crusaders have earned All-Academic Team honors from the GCAA each of the last five seasons [team GPA above 3.2], and have earned President's Special Recognition [GPA above 3.5] the last four years.  Valpo is one of just three programs in the nation to have received the President's Special Recognition four years running. 12 Crusaders have earned Academic All-League honors during Gring's tenure. Eight golfers have received GCAA All-America Scholar accolades, while Kyle Henning closed out his career by claiming CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District honors in 2014. Gring played golf for the Crusaders from 1985-1988 where he was a two-time team Most Valuable Player.  He earned All-Heartland Conference honors in 1985 before receiving All-AMCU accolades in 1987.  He played on the U.S. Amateur Tour during the summers of 1986 and 1987. David and his wife Pam have four children: Ryan born in 2000, Lauren born in 2002, Nicholas born in 2005, and Grace born in 2006.

Kalita will be rejoining the Crusader men's golf program as an assistant coach after spending the past two years with the American Junior Golf Association, located in Braselton, Georgia. We are very excited about Josh returning to Northwest Indiana and accepting the position of assistant coach for the mens golf team, said Gring. A Northwest Indiana native, Josh will have an integral part of leading our program in recruiting, player development, and traveling with the team to tournaments, as well as other team-related tasks. Kalita, a native of Chesterton, Indiana, played for the Valpo mens golf team from 2009 to 2013, competing in 31 events during his time as a Crusader. During his Valpo career he captained the team for three seasons, was on the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll for all semesters that he was enrolled, and was named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team in 2011. Under the coaching of Gring, Kalita was a member of the 2012-2013 Horizon League Championship team, helping the team to two other tournament titles during non-conference play.  I had the honor of coaching Josh when he played for us on our championship team, Gring continued. He is a born leader, in addition to modeling the academic and athletic standards that our team holds in high regards.  His resume as a student-athlete here at VU is absolutely exemplary, and he will continue to be a great example for our players. Adding an assistant coach has been a goal of Grings, but he wanted to make sure that the right person was hired in to help lead the Crusader program forward to even more success.  Gring spoke of how lucky they are to have a former player such as Kalita back with the program. I have great admiration for Josh's golf pedigree, playing at a high level in high school and college, said Gring.  His work with the AJGA over the past two years is laudable, and he is a person of tremendous character. We are blessed with his addition to our program.