KEARNEY — Kearney High School’s Boys Soccer Team has been recognized with the United Soccer Coaches Association’s National Team Academic Award for the 2023-24 academic year.
This prestigious accolade marks the eighth consecutive season that the Bearcats have achieved this honor, making them the only high school boys’ soccer team in Nebraska to do so.
“I am immensely proud of our soccer student-athletes again this year,” said Jeff Ganz, Principal of Kearney High School. “This award highlights our dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who thrive both academically and athletically. Coach Steinbrook has cultivated an environment where education is as highly valued as athletic achievement year after year.”
In total, 291 soccer teams (116 boys and 175 girls) nationwide achieved a team grade point average of 3.25 or higher, qualifying for the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 2023-24 academic year.
The KHS Boys Soccer Team achieved an impressive collective GPA of 3.46, significantly surpassing the 3.25 threshold required for the award. The team’s GPA is calculated by averaging the GPAs of all players.
“Once again we are proud to be recognized for the efforts of our Bearcat Soccer players in the classroom,” said Scott Steinbrook, Head Boys Soccer Coach. This award is something we are very proud of, and it continues to emphasize the messaging from our coaching staff, that in the phrase “student/athlete,” the word student always comes first. We are looking forward to the 2024-25 school year and soccer season with the goal of continuing a high standard of excellence both on the field and in the classroom.”
In addition to the team accolade, 16 individual players from the KHS Boys Soccer Team received Academic All-Conference and All-State honors. “The achievement of these 16 players, combined with the team’s recognition, highlights the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, teachers, counselors, and the entire administration,” Steinbrook added.
The United Soccer Coaches Association annually celebrates high school soccer teams that demonstrate exceptional commitment to academic excellence, recognizing their achievements over the course of the academic year.
