GRINNELL MEN’S SOCCER SQUAD EARNS TEAM ETHICS/ SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FROM NSCAA FOR 2ND YEAR IN A ROW

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – For the second year in a row, the Grinnell College men’s soccer team has earned the Team Ethics/Sportsmanship Award from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

A total of 74 teams at all NCAA and NAIA levels received either the Gold, Silver or Bronze version of the Team Ethics Award. The award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the Laws of the Game, as reflected by the number of yellow caution cards or red ejection cards they are shown by referees throughout the season.

Grinnell was one of just six NCAA D-III men’s teams to earn the honor. Coach Brian Jaworski’s squad earned the Bronze Award, which goes to teams with no more than 10 cards during the course of a season.

“This is an award that is extremely difficult to earn and the evidence is there were only six Division III men’s soccer programs to be recognized in 2012,” said Jaworski. “We ARE different than other Division III soccer programs in that we combine winning, scholastic excellence and a dedicated attitude to play the game the right way. All of those elements are important pillars in our soccer program and none of them are easy to establish. We wanted to be that type of team when the season started, so to finish the season with this recognition feels great and it keeps our momentum flowing.”

Grinnell’s women’s soccer team also earned the Team Ethics Award.