KANSAS CITY, MO – United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NCSAA) announced their Team Academic Award winners to recognize exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2016-17 academic year, and both Wilmington College soccer teams achieved recognition.
Wilmington is one of 204 schools who had both men's and women's programs among the recipients. In total, 828 (288 men and 540 women) earned the Team Academic Award. It's the second time both programs claimed the award in the same season.
It marks the 14th time in the awards 18-year history that the women's team achieved the academic honor. The Fightin' Quakers finished the academic year with a 3.29 grade point average.
"I am very proud of our program that has been earning the USC Team Academic Award since 1996," said women's head coach Steve Spirk. "This is an award we want to achieve every year. We strive to be successful in the classroom and on the field."
The men's program finished with a 3.03 grade point average to earn the academic award for the second time. They earned the honor in 2015.
"I am really pleased to see that our program is again being recognized for the National Team Academic Award given by United Soccer Coaches, formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association," said men's coach Bud Lewis. "Our players understand that the primary reason they are here at Wilmington College is to further their education and the programs we have in place to encourage and assist them to be successful in the classroom are very helpful and effective."
College Team Academic Award recipients are active members of the United Soccer Coaches College Services Program with a composite grade point of average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all players on the roster.