Golfer Morgan Sjoerdsma became Cal State LA’s first four-time Academic All-American when she was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Women’s At-Large third team on Tuesday, July 8.

Sjoerdsma, who graduated with a Master of Arts in Educational Technology this spring, previously earned first-team honors in 2024, second-team honors in 2023, and third-team honors in 2022. She achieved the first three awards as an undergraduate.

“Morgan’s legacy will live forever within this program. Her impact both on and off the golf course is immeasurable,” said Hans Kersting, Cal State LA golf head coach. “To be named an Academic All-American for the fourth time is far beyond what any other student-athlete has ever achieved at Cal State LA. I’m proud to know that I was able to coach a young lady who has made such an incredible impact not only on our golf team, but also the entire university.”

The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom. To be eligible in golf, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and must have competed in 70 percent of the team’s total events.

Sjoerdsma carried a 4.00 grade point average as a graduate student and a 3.96 GPA while completing her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

The At-Large team includes the sports of golf, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, water polo, bowling, fencing, rifle, crew/rowing, skiing, gymnastics, and beach volleyball. The Division II At- Large teams honored 53 student-athletes.

Sjoerdsma earned CSC All-District honors last month for a fourth straight year, which put her on the ballot for All-America recognition. She was joined by two other California Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes: golfer Madison Murr of Cal State San Marcos (first team and CSC Academic All-American Team Member of the Year) and water polo player Autumn Day of Cal State Monterey Bay (second team).

Sjoerdsma was one of 10 student-athletes who were repeat selections from the 2023-24 Academic All-America Division II At-Large team and one of 16 who earned a GPA of 4.00 as either an undergraduate or graduate student. She was also a three-time winner of the CCAA Elite 13 Award for top academic achievement during her career.

“It is truly remarkable that Morgan is the first in the history of the university to achieve the distinction of being a four-time Academic All-American,” said Cal State LA Executive Director of Athletics Daryl Gross. “This is an incredible accomplishment for an outstanding student-athlete.”

Sjoerdsma completed her remarkable Cal State LA career with another outstanding 2024-25 season. She had five top-10 finishes, including a second-place finish at the LA Invitational and a third-place finish at the Swan Memorial. She also tied for 10th at the NCAA West Regional and was 16th in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. Sjoerdsma had a scoring average of 75.32.

Sjoerdsma earned first-team All-CCAA honors for a fourth straight season and was ranked 94th in the final national individual rankings. She finished her career with three wins, two runner-up finishes, seven top-three finishes, 14 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10 finishes.

“Her character is exemplary, and her leadership has been evident since her freshman year,” Gross said. “As our captain, Morgan embodies everything we aspire to cultivate at Cal State LA. She excels as a scholar off the course and is a champion golfer, making her one of the most decorated athletes in our history. Without a doubt, she will be a future Hall of Famer. Morgan has laid the groundwork for our women’s golf program, and her legacy will be cherished forever.”

Sjoerdsma played in the NCAA West Regionals for a fourth time after qualifying as an individual in 2022 and 2023 and with the team in 2024 and 2025. She finished in a tie for 10th at the NCAA West Regionals in the final tournament of her career.

The CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-America award earned by Sjoerdsma is the 20th all-time for Cal State LA. She and two-time honoree Christie Lau (women’s tennis) are the only student-athletes to earn multiple Academic All-America awards.

CAL STATE LA ALL-TIME CSC/CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA AWARDS 

2025 – Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women’s Golf, 3rd team 
2024 – Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women’s Golf, 1st team 
2023 – Iane Henke, Women’s Volleyball, 2nd team 
2023 – Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women’s Golf, 2nd team 
2022 – Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women’s Golf, 3rd team 
2021 – Daniel Simonis, Men’s Soccer, 3rd team 
2018 – Samuel Croucher, Men’s Soccer, 2nd team 
2018 – Ingvar Moseley, Men’s Track & Field, 1st team 
2015 – Iona Lofrano, Women’s Volleyball, 2nd team 
2014 – Dane Nielsen, Men’s Soccer, 2nd team 
2014 – Shane Panther, Men’s Soccer, 2nd team 
2014 – Heather Williams, Women’s Soccer, 3rd team 
2013 – Christie Lau, At Large – Women’s Tennis, 2nd team 
2013 – Lisa Ohberg, Women’s Track/CC, 3rd team 
2012 – Waleed Cassis, Men’s Soccer, 3rd team 
2012 – Christie Lau, At Large – Women’s Tennis, 2nd team 
2011 – Sergio Cedano, Men’s Soccer, 3rd team 
2000 – Kasey Jungwirth, Women’s Volleyball, 1st team 
1995 – Marisol Cossio, Women’s Track/CC, 3rd team 
1987 – Robert Briglia, Men’s Track/CC, 3rd team

# # #

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.