Men’s Soccer Picks Up NEAC Sportsmanship Award

GANSEVOORT, N.Y. – The Wells College men's soccer team was the recipient of the 2013-14 North Eastern Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award, the league office announced Thursday. The Express, who wrapped up their most successful season in program history with an 8-4-4 overall record, were recognized for their sportsmanlike behavior on and off the field.

"We are thankful to be honored by the North Eastern Athletic Conference," said fifth-year Head Coach Dan Kane. "The coaching staff is grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a competitive and respectful group of young men. This award means a lot to our outgoing class of seniors who have worked so hard to establish a culture where every player strives to be the perfect Wells men's soccer player."

Early in the season, Kane was notified about the passing of Mike Smith, a long-time referee in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Kane brought the news to his team's attention and, in response, the squad looked to raise funds to benefit Smith's daughter, Lauren, who plays women's volleyball at league-rival Cazenovia College.

"As a referee, he was fair, honest and consistent," said John "Doc" Cook, the assistant coach for the Wells College men's soccer team who also serves as a local soccer referee. "He allowed the games to be competitive without sacrificing sportsmanship and fair play among the players and coaches. He will be missed on soccer fields throughout the area."

When presented with the fundraising idea, the Cazenovia women's soccer program responded enthusiastically and matched the fundraising efforts of the student-athletes from Wells. The funds were then deposited into a trust fund for Lauren. Smith was recognized with a moment of silence prior to the Saturday, Oct. 26 men's soccer contest between Cazenovia and Wells. The head referee, Barry Winters, concluded the moment of silence with a loud whistle in Smith's memory.

After the season, the Express were recognized for their fair play, sporting behavior and their adherence to the laws of the game. Wells was one of only five men's soccer teams across the nation to win the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Silver Award.

The honor is awarded to soccer teams after the tabulation of yellow caution cards and red ejection cards issued by referees throughout the season. By collecting only collecting five bookings across its 16-game schedule, Wells became the first NEAC men's soccer program to collect five or fewer infractions on the season since the men's soccer team at Baptist Bible College recorded only three yellow cards in 19 games during the 2006 season.

In addition to the NEAC Sportsmanship Award, Penn State Abington senior Phil Curry and SUNY Institute of Technology graduate student Taviot Jackowski were both selected as the NEAC Inspirational Award winners. For more information, click here.