EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men's and women's soccer programs were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Wednesday for their academic achievements.

NSCAA Release
 
UE was one of only 217 colleges and universities to have both the men's and women's soccer teams receive the NSCAA College Team Academic Award for the 2014-15 school year. The award is presented to teams with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 
The Evansville men's soccer program earned a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.14 under the guidance of first year head coach Marshall Ray. The Aces were one of 307 men's programs across all divisions of the NCAA to garner the award.
 
"When we are recruiting student-athletes, we always tell them we are going to put them in an environment where they will have to compete academically as well as athletically," said Ray. "To consistently receive this award shows our players embrace that competition. A special thanks goes to our academic support staff and Debbie Kassenbrock. This is an honor for our players and the entire program.  It is what the University of Evansville is all about."
 
The men's soccer team has now received the NSCAA Academic Award four years in a row and seven times overall.
 
The UE women's soccer program earned a cumulative GPA of 3.47 under eighth year head coach Krista McKendree. The team GPA was the second highest of any Missouri Valley Conference school in women's soccer this season. The Aces were one of 558 women's programs across all divisions to receive the award.
 
"I am glad our program has continually received this award," said McKendree.  "It is a testament to the type of student athlete we recruit, the emphasis our program and department puts on academics, and the support we receive from academic services and our professors."
 
This is the ninth consecutive year that the women's soccer team has received the annual award and the 11^th time overall.

Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Mo., the NSCAA has grown into the world's largest soccer coaches' organization that serves members at every level of the game. The NSCAA works every day to inspire coaches and ignite their passion for the game so they pass it on to players and others in the soccer community. We fulfill that goal through three core values: "Learn. Participate. Belong."