Red Wolves - IU East

The newest Red Wolves golfer makes the grade on and off of the course.

Recent Hagerstown (Ind.) High School graduate Lee Oakes, an academic all-state student-athlete, has signed to play golf for Indiana University East.

IU East coach Von Ebeling announced the signing June 14.

"I have been recruiting Lee since October," Ebeling said. "What I appreciate most about him is his patience and his academic achievement."

Oakes was an Indiana Football Coaches Association academic all-state honoree this past fall. Oakes earned academic all-conference recognition in football and golf.

Oakes has a nine-hole best of 40 and an 18-hole best of 88.

He helped Hagerstown win the Wayne County Tourney boys golf title as a senior. He also helped the Tigers break the school record for lowest nine-hole team score in a single competition.

"Lee is an avid golfer who took the opportunity to participate in the Eastern Indiana juniors tour," Ebeling said. "I expect Lee to thrive at improving his game now that he will have full access to the course at Highland Lake Golf Course.

"My goal for him athletically is for him to average around 83 to 85 for his first fall and spring season. My goal academically is for Lee to follow in graduating senior Mark Bevins' footsteps and be our next Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete."

Junior and senior student-athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or better are recognized as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Bevins was a two-time honoree.

Oakes says his putting and his wedges are the strengths of his game.

Lee is the son of Steve and Lori Oakes. He plans to major in accounting.

He chose IU East because of proximity to home, cost and general interest in the school.

"I bring a positive attitude and I'm a team player," he said. "I usually show up early and work hard and get along with other people."

Oakes is the third signee in IU East's 2010 men's golf recruiting class. He joins Wes Drees of Versailles, Ohio, and Hunter Overleese of Greenfield.