Arizona State assistant Kirakossian wins Jan Strickland Award

May 7, 2019 | by Golf Coaches Association of America

Armen Kirakossian (Photo courtesy GCAA)

In his second season with Arizona State, Armen Kirakossian has been part of a big year for the Sun Devils

Arizona State’s Armen Kirakossian has been selected recipient of the 2019 Jan Strickland Outstanding Assistant Coach Award presented by TaylorMade Golf as selected by the GCAA. The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.

Kirakossian is in his second season at Arizona State after serving two years as the assistant at Pepperdine. This season the Sun Devils have posted four team victories - all in the spring - in addition to five runner-up finishes. Arizona State posted three team wins in Kirakossian’s opening campaign. While at Pepperdine, he helped the Waves to their best finish at the NCAA Championships and best end-of-season ranking since 2004. Prior to his stint at Pepperdine Kirakossian was the head coach at his alma mater, Texas Pan American.

“What a humbling honor it is to be named the Jan Strickland Award recipient,” said Kirakossian. “I can’t thank the players enough for the amazing relationships and the effort they give every day and Arizona State for giving me the opportunity to do what I love at a place with such a high commitment to excellence. Big thank you to both head coaches Matt Thurmond and Michael Beard for their friendship and mentorship. They have both shaped me into the coach I am today and I am forever grateful of that. To my wife for being my greatest supporter, always standing by my side.

"I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the GCAA, TaylorMade, and the Strickland Award Committee for their hard work and time during the selection process. It is such a privilege to coach college golf and I wake up every day with a passion to build the program and help our student-athletes achieve their dreams.”

TaylorMade Golf Company has sponsored the Strickland Award since its inception in 2003.

Read more about Arizona State's season

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