Men’s Soccer Garners NSCAA Team Academic Award

MACON, Ga. – Following a season in which it posted a top-three finish in the A-Sun regular season and won 10 matches for the first time since 2004, the Mercer men’s soccer team was recognized for its work in the classroom by receiving the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award.

Only 79 out of the 204 Division I men’s soccer programs in the country received the honor, which is given to a team who posted at least a 3.0 grade point average for the 2009-10 academic year.

Mercer (3.12 GPA) was one of just four A-Sun institutions to capture the academic award, joining Stetson (3.24 GPA), FGCU (3.04 GPA) and USC Upstate (3.01 GPA).

Under the leadership of head coach Brad Ruzzo, this is the second-straight season the Bears have experienced marked success both on and off the field.  The team earned the same award in the 2008-09 academic year after posting a 3.06 GPA.

The Bears finished 2010 with a 10-6-1 overall record and a third-straight appearance in the A-Sun Men’s Soccer Championship.

For the complete list of men’s and women’s soccer teams who won the award, click here.