Soccer Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award
12/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Dec. 7, 2011
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - For the third consecutive season, The University of Alabama soccer team garnered recognition for its work in the classroom as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) named the Crimson Tide to its College Team Academic Award list. To be eligible a team must have a cumulative grade point average above 3.0 for the 2009-10 academic year.
"This award validates the dedication of our student athletes for their work in the classroom and is a reminder that our priorities are in order," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "Coming on the heels of a successful season, it is a nice reminder that the most important task we have here is succeeding in the classroom."
The NSCAA announced that a total of 789 soccer teams (218 men, 571 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2010-11 academic year.
"This is also a tribute to the effort of the Center for Athletic Student Services and their staff who work closely with our players," Bramble added. "That is an outstanding facility filled with people who genuinely care about our students."
Alabama had 11 players earn academic honors for the 2010 season, and the announcement of the 2011 honor roll will be made following the conclusion of the 2011 fall semester.
The Tide finished the 2011 season with a 10-9-3 record, the team's first winning season since 2003. Alabama also earned its second post season NCAA tournament berth in the team's history, and the first since 1998.
Senior goalkeeper Justine Bernier earned All-SEC second-team honors, while fellow teammates Pia Rijsdijk and Theresa Diederich both were selected to the SEC All-freshmen team.
