Willamette Women's Soccer Receives Team Academic Award

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team has received the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2010-11 academic year as recently announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A total of 572 women's soccer teams, representing all three NCAA divisions, the NAIA and junior colleges, earned the Team Academic Award, which requires a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative team grade point average.

The Bearcats owned 3.32 cumulative team GPA at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. Willamette was 7-11-2 on the field in 2010, with a 6-8-2 record in the Northwest Conference. WU improved to 11-8-1 in 2011, including 10-5-1 (3rd place) in the NWC.

Willamette was one of just two women's teams from the Northwest Conference that qualified for the award. The other NWC team was from Whitworth University.

"To be recognized on the national level as a recipient of the NSCAA Team Academic Award pays tribute to our team commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom," Willamette Head Coach Hillary Arthur said. "I have always emphasized the importance of academics and performing to the best of our ability. Being a student-athlete isn't easy, but it is always worth it."