Seahawks honored by NSCAA for their academics

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University men's and women's soccer teams were each recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for having a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for the 2009-10 academic year.

A total of 634 teams (195 men, 439 women) featured a 3.0 GPA or higher, but Salve Regina was one of 129 schools which saw both its men's and women's programs honored. The women posted a 3.36 GPA while the men scored a 3.14 GPA.

"I am very excited for my team to finally earn this award," said Salve Regina men's coach Craig O'Rourke II, who guided the Seahawks to a 14-6-2 mark in 2010 and a berth in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) semifinals. "It is something that we have been working very hard for since I took over the program four years ago. Improving our individual and overall team GPA has been one of my primary focuses, and each of my student-athletes has bought into this team goal 100 percent. We have watched our team GPA climb for six-straight semesters, and I am simply thrilled that our guys have earned this award for our program."

The women's team, meanwhile, posted a 10-9 mark and advanced to The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Championship playoffs for the second-consecutive season. "We are very excited to be recognized by the NSCAA and earn this award," said women's head coach Kerri Scroope. "The girls work hard on and off the field, and we are continually stressing the importance of academics. They continue to model the definition of a true Division III athletes and I'm very proud of their achievements."

Salve Regina was the only school in TCCC to have its men's team receive the College Team Academic Award. On the women's side, Endicott College (3.27 GPA) and University of New England (3.32 GPA) both received the honor.