BUENA VISTA, Va. — The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2026 Don Scalf Male Student-Athlete of the Year, with Southern Virginia University graduate Zack Geertsen becoming the first student-athlete in program history to receive the award.
A Business Management and Leadership graduate from Draper, Utah, Geertsen was selected for the conference's highest honor recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.
Each year, the USA South honors one graduating male and one graduating female student-athlete. The men's award is named in honor of the late Don Scalf, a legendary coach and professor at N.C. Wesleyan University and one of the founding fathers of the conference.
Southern Virginia Director of Athletics Josh Monsen praised Geertsen following the announcement.
"I am thrilled for Zack. Winning the Don Scalf Award is the ultimate proof that you really can do it all. To excel on the baseball field, succeed in the classroom, and lead with such passion in the community is nothing short of incredible. He has set a new standard for what it means to be a student-athlete at Southern Virginia University."
Each USA South institution nominated one male and one female student-athlete for the awards. Nominees were evaluated based on cumulative grade-point average, athletic accomplishments, and community service. As this year's recipient, Geertsen will also serve as the conference's nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) regional and national Student-Athlete of the Year awards.
Reflecting on the honor, Geertsen expressed gratitude for those who supported him throughout his career.
"I am so incredibly honored to receive the Don Scalf Award. I am thankful for my family and their constant love and support, my coaches and teammates for pushing me to be better every day, and the professors and administrators at SVU for always being willing to help me. Without these people, I wouldn't be where I am today, and this award represents the impact they have had on my life. I'm so grateful for the three years I spent at Southern Virginia. Go Knights!"
During his three seasons at Southern Virginia, Geertsen established himself as one of the most accomplished players in program history. He earned USA South All-Conference honors in each of his three seasons, receiving recognition at both the plate and on the mound. He was a two-time First Team All-Conference designated hitter/utility player, a First Team All-Conference pitcher, a two-time Second Team All-Conference pitcher, and a Second Team designated hitter/utility player. In 2024, he was named the USA South Rookie of the Year.
On the regional stage, Geertsen collected three D3baseball.com All-Region selections, including being named the 2024 Region 6 Rookie of the Year. He finished his career with a .380 batting average, 102 RBIs, 12 home runs, and 15 victories as a pitcher.
Head baseball coach Tyler Cox said Geertsen embodied everything the award represents.
"I couldn't be more proud of Zack. The Don Scalf Award recognizes the very best of what it means to be a collegiate student-athlete, and Zack has earned it in every sense. He excelled on the field, in the classroom, and in serving others, but what sets him apart is the way he did it—with humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to his teammates and our university. He has raised the standard for Southern Virginia Baseball, and this honor is a well-deserved reflection of the legacy he leaves behind."
In the classroom, Geertsen compiled a 3.887 cumulative GPA while graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Business Management and Leadership. He was named to the Southern Virginia Provost's List six times, earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors twice, and was a three-time USA South Academic All-Conference selection.
Beyond athletics and academics, Geertsen made a lasting impact through community service. He served as chief operating officer of the SVU Business Club, helping organize weekly events and initiatives. He also coordinated teammates in community clean-up projects at local parks, riverfronts, and trailheads, tutored students in Mandarin Chinese, and worked with local high school athletes to develop their baseball skills.
Geertsen becomes the first student-athlete in Southern Virginia history to receive the USA South Don Scalf Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
To view past honorees of the Don Scalf and Rita Wiggs Awards, click
HERE.
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