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Phoenix City Councilwoman Jessica Florez To Honor Phoenix College Nationally Recognized Academic Teams-of-the-Year on May 5
Governor’s Office applauds achievement with Proclamation

by: Christy Skeen

Phoenix City Councilwoman Jessica Florez and Phoenix College will honor three college teams selected as National Academic Teams-of-the-Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). They will be feted at a luncheon Monday, May 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Willo Room at Phoenix College.

The NJCAA recognized six teams nationally with the highest cumulative team grade point average. Of the six nationally recognized teams, Phoenix College Men’s Soccer (3.07 G.P.A.), Women’s Soccer (3.53 G.P.A.) and Volleyball (3.74 G.P.A.) were among those honored for their academic excellence in Division II sports.

To further celebrate the teams’ achievement, Phoenix City Councilwoman Jessica Florez will present them with a Proclamation from the Office of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.

The coaches and college view this honor as winning the national championship for academics.

"This is a tremendous achievement," said head women’s soccer coach, Morgan Lee. "To be labeled as the NJCAA Women’s Soccer Academic Team-of-the-Year on a national level is an incredible honor. I am so proud of these young ladies. They definitely deserve it! We do so much talking to so many prospective student-athletes about how school always comes first and how important it is that these athletes go to class and graduate. It is no longer just talk or words that are said, we are now proving it on a national scale."

"This is the second time we’ve won this award in the past three years and we are extremely proud of our accomplishment," said head volleyball coach and academic advisor, Patrick Mooney. "Our department’s philosophy of emphasizing the academic side of the term ‘student athlete’ is even further validated with four of our teams being named Academic All-American Teams and three of them being awarded the honor of Academic Team-of-the-Year."

"Phoenix College Athletics encourages an environment where student-athletes strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives not just winning and loosing on the field, said men's athletic director, Scott Geddis. "The entire Phoenix College campus faculty, staff and coaches are dedicated to this definition of success. These awards represent the result of that dedication."

College President, Dr. Corina Gardea added "This accomplishment demonstrates our commitment to the true ideal of athletics as an extension of the classroom, not a substitute."

All three teams including Women’s Cross Country were also recognized as Academic All-American Teams.