CLEVELAND - Ben Whalen, a four-year letterman for the men's golf team and a 2009 graduate of Delta State University, has accepted the position of graduate assistant coach on Sam Dunning's staff for the 2009-2010 season.  Whelan will officially begin his coaching duties on August 1.  

"I'm excited to be able to keep Ben around our program as he pursues a master's degree in business administration," stated Dunning.  "Ben has been one of our best student-athletes on and off the course and i'm pleased to see his first coaching job be right here at Delta State."

Whelan graduated in May with a degree in accounting.  The Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada native received four letters while playing for coach Sam Dunning and the Statesmen.