The award is given annually to teams who demonstrate exemplary performance in the classroom and qualifying teams must produce a 3.0 team grade point average or higher.

"We want every player who comes through our program to not only earn a degree before they leave, but also to achieve at the highest level academically and to get the most out of their educational experience," Rhoden said. "We want to make sure our players get to the point where they approach their studies in a manner that is consistent with how we approach the game and training, and we are doing that."

Rhoden not only credited the study habit of his players but he also heaped praise on the support staff in place at the Student Athlete Enhancement Center. Debbie Carroll serves as the athletic academic counselor who works with the soccer program.

"This award is a tribute to our Student Athlete Enhancement Center and the work (Director) Jim Rost and Debbie Carroll have done with our student athletes, believing in the same things I believe in and sticking with those philosophies," Rhoden said. "I think a lot of it has to do with what is in place with the academic center and recruiting players who realize what is important to us in all facets of our program - academics, community service and on the field. I'm very proud of our players for the efforts they put into all of these areas."

The award covers all levels of women's college soccer - Division I, Division II, Division III, and NAIA.

Middle Tennessee had seven players make the Sun Belt Commissioner's List (3.50 and above) for the 2006-07 academic year. They were: Kathrine Andresen, Ingrid Christensen, Holly Grogan, Jeanette Heltne, Sarah Beth Lee, Erynn Murray, and Jen Threlkeld. Four soccer players earned a spot on the Sun Belt's Academic Honor Roll (3.0-3.49) for the 2006-07 academic year. They were: Nenita Burgess, Kim Farrant, Kaley Forrest, and Kala Morgan.

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