IRVING, Texas – With a cumulative grade point average of 3.567, the UTEP soccer team has received the Conference USA Sports Academic Award as announced by the league office Tuesday. The honor is given to the team in each conference-sponsored sport with the highest GPA for the academic year.

"UTEP Soccer is very honored to receive this prestigious award,” head coach Kevin Cross said. “We pride ourselves in being the best in the classroom and on the field. Our ladies exhibit high character and are winners. I really appreciate the team's efforts in the classroom as this is quite an accomplishment! We also are thankful for the work of our academic center, the MAAC, its director, Heather Smith, our soccer advisor, Samantha Eiland, and Heather Clark, assistant soccer coach who has been in charge of academics."

Success in the classroom for the Miner soccer program is nothing new. UTEP has produced five Academic All-Americans, 19 Academic All-District honorees and 17 Academic All-League members during its 20-year history.

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