Radford University’s men’s and women’s soccer programs were both named to the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award list this past week, recognizing their exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2016-17 academic year.
United Soccer Coaches annually celebrates the academic achievements of high school and college soccer teams whose student-athletes collectively demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their studies over the course of a full school year.
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.
The Radford men combined to post a 3.34 cumulative GPA to become one of 293 collegiate men’s soccer teams in the nation to receive the award. UNC Asheville and Presbyterian College joined the Highlanders on the list from the Big South.
“We place academic success at the top of our list of importance,” noted Head Coach Bryheem Hancock. “This award is a result of this, but not only do the members of our team deserve credit, but certainly my staff, the tutors and our academic advisor Alix Guynn.”
One of 544 teams to earn the distinction on the women’s side, Radford combined to achieve a stellar 3.43 GPA under Head Coach Ben Sohrabi. Other teams from the Big South on the list included Liberty, Longwood, UNC Asheville, Gardner-Webb and Winthrop.
“The team academic award is an expectation of this program in my opinion,” Sohrabi said. “We have a great support staff in academic services and I think they do a great job helping our student athletes achieve their academic goals. I’m proud of our team and their dedication to academic diligence. We want our team to be leaders on campus, become great soccer players and carry the highest GPA possible.”
Together, the men and women were one of 208 schools in the nation with both programs recognized by United Soccer Coaches.
— RU Athletics