A former Crusader will be joining the Valparaiso men’s golf coaching staff prior to the start of the 2015 spring campaign.  Head coach David Gring announced today that Josh Kalita will be rejoining the squad 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 men’s 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 men’s 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 Gring’s, 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.”