KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) announced on Thursday the Team Academic Award Winners to recognize exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2016-17 academic year. The Coker College men's and women's soccer teams were among the winners selected for the award. 

"I am extremely proud of the girls for their commitment and dedication in the classroom," stated Head Women's Soccer Coach Debbie McGuinness. "They deserve the recognition for their hard work and I applaud each and every one of them." 

A total of 813 collegiate teams (282 men, 531 women) earned the Team Academic Award, including 195 schools who had both their men's and women's programs among the recipients. In order to receive the award, programs had to earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher during the 2016-17 academic year. 

"I am very proud of our guys for achieving this academic team award," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Chris Williams. "We take the concept of student-athlete very seriously and this shows their dedication not only on the field, but in the classroom." 

The Cobra soccer teams will be on the road this weekend when they travel to Tusculum to take on the Pioneers on Sunday (Oct. 8). The women will play at 2 p.m. followed by the men at 4:30 p.m.