NorthernsSoccerProgramRecognized

**Northern soccer earns academic honor** 

For the third consecutive year, both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at Northern Vance have earned recognition from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as a high school Team Academic Award winner. For a team to qualify, the entire roster must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25. Credit is given for weighted courses. The award is given for the prior school year, 2009-10.

Each year, the member coach has to submit the team roster and academic results by Oct. 1. The NSCAA then reviews the information and notifies the school by Dec. 1.

Northern was one of only five North Carolina schools and 61 nationwide to have both teams honored.

The boys’ teams had a 4.24 GPA, which was the third highest among 142 teams. They were in the top 2 percent, with only two schools in Charleston, S.C. having higher GPAs. With a 3.98, the girls were 27th of 243 female teams, placing them in the top 11 percent nationwide.

The teams will be formally recognized at the National Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore, Md. in January. Both teams are coached by David Hicks, who will accept the awards on their behalf. Northern and Hicks were notified this week of the achievement.

Read more: [|The Daily Dispatch - Northern soccer earns academic honor]