FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team has been honored for its success in the classroom, as the Falcons received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award for the 2011-2012 academic year.

To earn the award, a team must post a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better. Montevallo earned a team grade-point average of 3.07 during the 2011-2012 campaign to earn the distinction.

The Falcons’ success in the classroom has mirrored their performance on the field. Winners of the NSCAA Academic Award for the 2010-2011 academic year as well, Montevallo has won the Peach Belt Conference tournament championship in two of the past three season and has advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament in seven of the past nine seasons.

The Falcons finished the 2012 season 13-5-2 and ranked No. 6 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region.

“The University of Montevallo provides our students with an outstanding blend of excellent academics and national caliber athletics,” said Montevallo men’s soccer head coach Ken Hassler. “Our athletes take a lot of pride in their academic performance and are supported by an exceptional faculty. It is exciting to see our student-athletes being recognized for their success.”

The NSCAA annually recognizes college and high school soccer programs that have excelled in the classroom, in addition to their work on the pitch.

A total of 726 college soccer teams (222 men, 504 women) posted a team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The University of Montevallo and Young Harris College are the only Peach Belt Conference men’s soccer representatives recognized as 2011-2012 award winners.

For more information on the NSCAA Team Academic Award, check out the NSCAA website at http://www.nscaa.com/news/2012/11/2011-12-team-academic-award.