SMU Men's Golf senior Will Sides has been awarded the 2026 Rod Myers Scholar Athlete of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference, marking him as the first Mustang to achieve this honor since SMU joined the ACC in 2024. He holds a 3.79 GPA in accounting and has garnered multiple all-conference accolades, including his first All-America nod this season. Sides finished the season with notable performance metrics, including tournament wins and top finishes, solidifying his status in collegiate golf.

By the Numbers
  • Sides recorded a 68.4 adjusted scoring average across 35 rounds played.
  • He secured three tournament wins and finished in the top 20 in nine different events this season.
State of Play
  • Sides' achievements have established him as a key figure in SMU's sports program.
  • His performance this season reflects a strong culmination of his collegiate career, as he also participated in the Korn Ferry Tour.
What's Next

Potential future implications for Sides include opportunities for professional golfing, as he transitions from collegiate success to the professional circuit, especially after a solid finish at the Korn Ferry Tour. His recognition may also pave the way for more student-athletes at SMU to receive similar accolades in the future.

Bottom Line

Will Sides' achievements not only highlight his individual excellence but also enhance SMU's reputation in collegiate athletics, emphasizing the critical combination of academic and athletic success.