BALTIMORE, Md. – Thirteen Horizon League soccer programs were recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Wednesday for their hard work in the classroom during the 2014-15 academic year. The Team Academic Award is given to collegiate teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Four Horizon League men’s and women’s soccer teams -- Northern Kentucky University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Valparaiso University and Oakland University--were among the 217 schools to have both their teams earn the 2014-2015 NSCAA College Team Academic Award.
Belmont University also earned distinction on the men’s side, while Cleveland State, Detroit, UIC and Wright State brought the total of women’s programs honored to eight.
This marks the thirteenth straight year that both Valparaiso soccer teams have been awarded this honor by the NSCAA. The men’s team has the third longest streak in the nation, posting a 3.04 grade point average in the 2014-15 seasons. The women posted a 3.52 grade point average.
The Milwaukee women’s soccer team posted a 3.55 grade point average making this the eighteenth straight year that the Milwaukee women’s soccer team has made the academic list-the second longest streak in the nation. The men make the list for the third year in a row with a 3.11 grade point average.
New to the Horizon League, Northern Kentucky University also was recognized for having both of their teams receive the NSCAA honors. The women are receiving this honor for the tenth straight season, posting a 3.42 grade point average. This is the first time since 2000 that the men’s team has received this award, posting a grade point average of 3.19.
NSCAA Honorees:
Men’s --
Belmont, 3.35 GPA
Milwaukee, 3.11 GPA
Northern Kentucky, 3.19 GPA
Oakland, 3.10 GPA
Valparaiso, 3.04 GPA
Women’s --
Cleveland State, 3.61 GPA
Detroit, 3.70 GPA
Milwaukee, 3.55 GPA
Northern Kentucky, 3.42 GPA
Oakland, 3.46 GPA
UIC, 3.36 GPA
Valparaiso, 3.52 GPA
Wright State, 3.22 GPA