The Northern Kentucky University men’s and women’s soccer programs were recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for their performances in the classroom, the organization announced.
Northern Kentucky is one of 211 schools to have both their men’s and women’s programs earn the 2014-15 NSCAA College Team Academic Award.
The women’s team was recognized for the 10th year in a row after posting a 3.42 grade point average during the 2014-15 academic year. The team has now been recognized 13 times since 2000.
“To earn this award for 10 consecutive years speaks volumes of the quality of student-athletes that have matriculated through the program,” head women’s soccer coach Bob Sheehan said. “We continue to be very proud of our student-athletes’ efforts both on and off the field as they continue to represent themselves, our soccer program and our university well. Special recognition also goes to our Assistant Athletic Director for Academics Debbie Kirch who is extremely proactive in helping our student-athletes achieve academic success.”
The men’s squad earned its first NSCAA academic award since 2000 after posting a 3.19 team grade point average in the 2014-15 academic year.
“We’ve worked really hard to improve our academic standards since making the move to Division I,” head men’s soccer coach John Basalyga said. “We are recruiting great student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. They are really coming through for us when it comes to academics and I’m proud of the hard work they are doing.”
NKU joins three Horizon League schools that had both their men’s and women’s team recognized. The Team Academic Award is presented to collegiate teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Overall, 859 college soccer programs won the award including 554 women’s teams and 305 men’s teams.
Both squads return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 26 for their second Horizon League match of the season. The women (5-2, 1-0) host UIC at 7 p.m. at NKU Soccer Stadium, while the men (4-3, 1-0) travel to take on Detroit at 2 p.m.
From NKU Athletics