The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Soccer Programs Earn Team Academic Honors from NSCAA
December 15 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Both the men's and women's soccer programs at The University of Akron were recently recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for posting team grade-point-averages of better than 3.0 for the 2010-11 academic year.
UA is one of just two Mid-American Conference schools (Bowling Green) to have both programs honored by the NSCAA this season. The men recorded a 3.44 cumulative average, which represents the second-highest mark in Division I, while the women posted a 3.36.
It was another banner year for the men's team on and off the field. In addition to advancing to the NCAA's Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive season with an overall record of 15-4-4, the Zips, who finished 11th in the final NSCAA rankings, were only slightly edged out by Harvard (3.45) for the top GPA in the country. Incidentally, the Crimson went 2-13-3 overall last season, including a 0-6-1 mark in the Ivy League.
Individually, the men's team landed three players on the Academic All-America list this season, headlined by first-team honoree Chad Barson (3.99, Biology). Joining him were teammates Scott Caldwell (3.95, Accounting), who earned second-team status, and David Meves (3.78, Corporate Financial Management), who was named to the third team.
Furthermore, Thomas Schmitt garnered Academic All-District recognition for the first time in 2011 after posting a 3.55 as a sport management major. In all, 11 players on UA's current roster had a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better through the fall.
This year's academic success continues a trend established under sixth-year head coach Caleb Porter. The Zips have produced 10 Academic All-America honors in the last five seasons under Porter's direction, including seven in the past two years alone. When UA captured its first team national championship in any sport last December, it did so with the eighth-highest GPA (3.33) in Division I.
The UA women's program advanced to the MAC Tournament quarterfinals for the third consecutive season in 2011. The Zips boast 17 players on their roster with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or better and six earning at least a 3.5.
For the complete list of 2011 NSCAA Team Academic Award winners, visit NSCAA.com.
