Newberry, Lincoln Memorial Soccer Teams Receive National Academic Honors

MISSION, Kan. - The Newberry College men's and women's soccer teams, and the Lincoln Memorial University men's and women's soccer teams all earned academic honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

A total of 313 soccer teams (81 men, 232 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2005-06 academic year. Newberry and Lincoln Memorial were included in an elite group of 50 schools nationwide that had both of their men's and women's soccer teams earning the academic honor.

Newberry

The Newberry College women's soccer program has been honored with multiple academic honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for their performance during the 2005-2006 academic year.

The Lady Indians continued their tradition of success in the classroom as the team has been awarded with the Team Academic Award for the fourth year running, compiling a 3.33 grade point average.

The Lady Indians are one of two South Atlantic Conference teams recognized, with conference newcomer Lincoln Memorial also earning the award. A total of 313 soccer teams (81 men, 232 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2005-06 academic year.

Also, in a first for the school, Newberry College was one of only 50 schools in all divisions nationally that earned the award with both their men's and women's program.

Four Lady Indians also earned Honorable Mention Scholar All-South Region awards for the 2006 season.

Junior goalkeeper Danielle Beckerle (St. Louis, Mo.) earned a 3.64 grade point average in pre-medicine while also earning second team all-South Atlantic Conference honors between the pipes. Junior defender Sarah Barnes (Rolla, Mo.) earned a 3.81 GPA in pre-medicine, and was a preseason second team all-South Atlantic Conference selection. Junior forward Inga Woiwode (El Paso, Texas) has earned a 3.49 GPA in biology while garnering third team NSCAA all-Southeast Region honors as well as her third consecutive first team all-South Atlantic Conference selection following the 2006 season. Also, junior forward Brooke Tumblin (Florence, S.C.) earned a 3.75 GPA in her studies as a pre-law student, while leading the Lady Indians in game-winning goals.

"We're extremly proud of all of our student-athletes, who have understood the message about the importance of taking care of their academic responsibilities," Lady Indians head coach Juan Pablo Favero said. "Our team exemplifies the highest standards of academic and athletic performance, and all of our players contributed their excellence in the classroom to continue this annual recognition. Also, these four juniors are well deserving recipients of any individual honor they recieve, and we are happy for their accomplishments."

Lincoln Memorial

Harrogate, TN - The Lincoln Memorial University men's and women's soccer teams have been collecting a number of titles in the past few years. In 2004, both teams won the GSC conference regular season title. The women went on to win the NCAA South Region title game and appeared in the elite eight of the NCAA National Tournament. In 2005, both programs won the GSC Tournament title. The women again qualified for nationals for the second consecutive season. In 2006, it was the men's team who advanced, winning the NCAA Appalachian Region title, an Elite 8 Championship and appearing in the NCAA Final Four of the Division II National Tournament.

These accomplishments have all accompanied important academic awards. Both programs have been consistently placing players on academic all-conference, all-region, and all-American teams. Now, word has come from the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America) that both programs have won the 2006 Team Academic Award. This is a first in school history, and an honor that has a work in progress for LMU Head Coach Helio D'Anna. "When I began work at Lincoln Memorial University, I believed it to be an important goal for both teams to achieve this prestigious honor," said D'Anna. "Our women made it last year and our men were very close. This year we finally got both programs on the same page academically and we are very excited about that. I believe this award is as important as any accomplishments we have had on the field since I have been here."

The Team Academic Award is presented to programs that have a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.0. A total of 313 soccer teams (81 men, 232 women) posted this mark. Only 50 institutions placed both men and women on the list. Lincoln Memorial is among those 50 institutions.

"Our challenge now is to keep out programs on the list consistently," says D'Anna. "I don't think it's a coincidence to see performance on and off the field. Excellence should apply to everything one does and not to be a selective state. I am extremely proud of this achievement and very happy for all the players in the Lincoln Memorial University soccer program."

Lincoln Memorial University men's soccer senior Diogo Silvy (Santa Catarina, Brazil) and women's soccer senior Damaris Young (Panama City, Panama) highlight the two team's success. Silvy will graduate Magna Cum Laude and was selected as the winter 2006 graduating class Salutatorian, while Young will graduate with honors and has been accepted to Harvard Law School and will receive a scholarship.