TicketsNov. 30, 2009
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The University of Cincinnati's men's and women's soccer teams earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award, the organization announced. UC is one of 97 schools across all divisions to have both the men's and women's programs recognized.
Cincinnati's women's program has compiled a 3.28 team grade point average, while the men's team boasts a 3.11 GPA.
The men's team, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Hylton Dayes earned the award for the first time in the program's history. The women earn the distinction for the fifth time (2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) and the second straight season under second-year mentor Michelle Salmon.
"We are pleased to be honored by the NSCAA for our hard work and dedication in the classroom," said Salmon. "The standards that we have established for our program both on and off the field exemplify the foundation that our team is built upon. As a coaching staff we are pleased with the commitment and direction we are heading in for all aspects of our program."
UC is one of just five BIG EAST teams to have both the men's and women's programs honored. The women's team's 3.28 GPA ranks sixth among BIG EAST teams, while the men's team's 3.11 GPA was the fourth-best in the BIG EAST.
"We're very honored to receive this award from the NSCAA," said Dayes. "It speaks to the dedication and commitment of our entire team toward academic excellence. This was a goal for our program and it is gratifying to see our guys achieving in the classroom while balancing the rigors of Division I college soccer."
NSCAA/adidas Team Academic Award was instituted in 1996 and to qualify, a team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).