Gannon University Athletics

Matt Barto set the standard for excellence both on the course and in the classroom during his four-year career from 2014–18. A model of consistency, competitiveness, and academic achievement, Barto played a central role in elevating the Golden Knights into a perennial NCAA postseason contender while building one of the most decorated résumés the program has ever seen. 

Barto competed in 92 rounds across 45 career events, producing a program-best scoring average in each of his four seasons. He finished his career with an impressive 76.5 stroke average and posted a low round of 67. His consistency was reflected in 15 top-five finishes, 22 top-10 results, and 34 top-20 finishes, along with a .733 career winning percentage (2303–839), marking him as one of the most reliable performers in program history. 

Barto became just the second student-athlete in program history to earn PSAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2014–15, highlighted by winning the PSAC individual championship as a freshman. He went on to earn four All-PSAC selections, including first-team honors as both a freshman and senior, and second-team recognition as a sophomore and junior. As a senior, he was named to the NCAA Division II PING Men's Golf All-Atlantic Region First Team. 

Equally remarkable was Barto's success in the classroom. He was named the ECAC NCAA Division II Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a junior and earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition and the NCAA Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award in every season of his career. A three-time Academic All-District First Team selection, Barto was also a three-time Academic All-American, earning third-team honors as a sophomore and second-team recognition as both a junior and senior. He further distinguished himself as a PSAC Champion Scholar as a junior and senior, an honor awarded to the student-athlete competing at PSAC championships with the highest grade point average. 

Barto's excellence translated directly to team success. He produced Gannon's lowest scoring average in each of his four seasons and helped guide the Golden Knights to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2015, 2016, and 2018). He competed at the NCAA Atlantic/East Super Regional in all four seasons and qualified individually for the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championships following a fifth-place finish at the regional. His steady leadership and elite performance were instrumental in sustaining Gannon's presence on the national stage.