INDIANAPOLIS - San José State head men’s golf coach John Kennaday has been named Chairman of the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Committee, marking a historic milestone as the first active head coach to serve in the position.
The nine-member NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Committee plays a vital role in national collegiate athletics, overseeing and administering the NCAA Men's Golf Championships and team selection, and shaping policies on championship formats, scoring, media coverage, and overall operations.
"It is an absolute honor to serve in this role and represent San José State and college golf on a national scale," said Kennaday. "The collegiate game continues to grow in excitement, visibility, and talent. I look forward to working closely with committee members, coaches, and administrators across the country to advance the sport and provide extraordinary opportunities for student-athletes."
Kennaday, an SJSU alumnus and 1987 All-American, has served as the Spartans’ head men's golf coach since April 2005. Over his tenure, he has transformed San José State into a premier program, guiding the Spartans to multiple NCAA Regional appearances and coaching numerous individual conference champions, All-Americans, and PGA Tour professionals.
His leadership extends far beyond the green. Kennaday served as president of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and has spent years on the organization’s National Advisory Board. He was instrumental in securing unprecedented, live national television coverage of the Western Intercollegiate—the historic tournament hosted annually by San José State at Pasatiempo Golf Club. Under his watch, the Spartans also opened a state-of-the-art 15-acre on-campus practice facility in 2017, ensuring long-term success for the program both academically and athletically.
As Chairman, Kennaday will lead the committee’s strategic discussions with national organizations and collegiate leaders, balancing his role at the helm of the Spartan golf program while shaping the national landscape for Division I men’s golf.
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