The women’s softball team and men’s soccer team both ranked in the 2022-2023 Academic Teams of the Year in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s National Rankings.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for our university. It shows that our students are doing what needs to be done in the classroom, and on the field as well. I would like to thank our great coaches and wonderful faculty for pushing all our athletes in the right direction. Lastly, thank you to all our student athletes for striving to the best you can be on and off the field,” says Zach Simmons, USC Union Athletic Director.
The Bantam soccer team consisted of 19 strong players from England, Germany, California, and all over South Carolina. The team finished second in the country respectively in their sport with their team GPA of 3.6. Out of the soccer student-athletes, four soccer players earned a 4.0 during the semester, which were international students, including NJCAA Region 10 Player of the Year in Men’s Soccer, Nico Steinweg from Dortmund, Germany. The Bantams ranked nationally above Salt Lake Community College (Utah), Northwest College (Wyoming), Monroe College (New York) and more from different JUCO regions. Marc Curlee, Bantam soccer coach, says, “I can’t find the words to express the sense of pride that I have for the team of 2022-23. Ranking #2 in the Nation academically is a major achievement for a soccer team that has only been in the NJCAA for 5 years. The members of the team put the hard work in on and off the pitch. The classroom is the 1st priority for me as a Coach and to see such an accomplishment from these players is just amazing.”
The Lady Bantams softball team showed out with their impressive 3.78 GPA, allowing them to finish fourth in the country respectively in their sport. In addition to earning an impressive fourth rank nationally, the Lady Bantams were also ranked number one in NJCAA Region 10 (DI, DII, DIII) for academics. The team had ten players earning President’s List (4.0) and four earning Dean’s List (3.5-3.99). Colby Community College (Kansas), Northwest Florida State College (Florida), and several larger colleges ranked nationally below the Lady Bantams. “It is such an honor to celebrate the academic success of this team. They are an amazing group of young ladies and ambassadors to what it truly means to be student athletes. As a student athlete, the team embodied the ‘student’ part to its fullest potential. They used every resource at USC Union from the success center to tutoring opportunities to enhance their overall performance. I am so ecstatic of all their accomplishments and accolades this past season,” said William Royce, Lady Bantams softball coach.
For a full list of games and rosters, please visit www.uscunionathletics.com
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