KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 5, 2025) – The United Soccer Coaches announced their College Team Academic Award winners last week with the University of North Alabama named a recipient. A total of 697 soccer teams were chosen between the men's and women's programs across the country.

"I'm really proud of this group for earning the United Soccer Coaches Academic Award.," said head coach Chris Walker. "These grade accomplishments are something they have managed to do year after year. They're not just tough on the field; they work just as hard in the classroom. They are smart, driven and always pushing to be their best in everything they do."
 
North Alabama is one of six ASUN teams to win the award. Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville and Lipscomb round out the rest.
 
The Lions have won 16 academic related awards since the beginning of the Division I era amongst eight different players.
 
The soccer team achieved on and off the pitch last season, but in the classroom is where they made their mark. The team finished with the third-highest GPA amongst North Alabama teams. They boasted a collective 3.67 GPA, which was the top program that saw more than 20 rostered athletes.
 
Walker is three wins away from eclipsing the century mark at North Alabama, which he can do as early as the UT Martin game on August 21 in Martin, Tenn.
 
The Lions get going at home to open the season against the ETSU Buccaneers on Aug. 14 at the Cox Creek Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.