The 2025-2026 athletic seasons culminated with one of the most successful years in the history of Aurora University Athletics. Behind the department achievements are the accomplishments and recognition of the athletes that made the success possible, AU announced the Male Athlete of the Year.
The award will be presented to senior men's golf student-athleteÂ
Jackson Hulsey, as voted on by staff members of the AU Athletic Department.
Hulsey earned the AU Male Athlete of the Year honor after he was named a 2025-2026 Golf Coaches Association of America / Ping Division III Third-Team All-American, GCAA All-Region, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Roger Fleming Men's Golf Athlete of the Year award and NACC All-Conference.Â
On the season, he registered top-10 finishes in seven of 10 regular-season events this season, including five top-five finishes. He captured medalist honors four times. He fired a 54-total of 1-over 217 (71-78-68) to win the NACC men's golf individual title for a second consecutive year, this time by three strokes over the rest of the field. Hulsey posted the NACC's top scoring average, averaging 71.44 strokes over 27 rounds - over a stroke better than any other NACC player and over two strokes better than any non-Aurora player.Â
Hulsey capped his career with a tie for 27th place at the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships while helping lead AU to a third-place team finish - the best showing by a NACC golf program at the NCAA Championships. He finished with a 2-over 289 total (69-74-77-69) and was the only Spartan with two sub-70 rounds.
Hulsey ended the season ranked 22nd nationally in NCAA Division III by Clippd. He was also the top-ranked player in the region, recording the lowest scoring average while playing the hardest strength of schedule among NACC players.
