WS Kowalczyk

Kowalczyk Earns Prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton College Bethany Kowalczyk (Jr. Waterford, Pa.) recently received one of the highest honors given by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Kowalczyk has been named to the NSCAA Women's Soccer Scholar All-East Region 1st Team as well as to the NSCAA Scholar All-American Team. She is the first Houghton women's soccer player to ever receive the latter honor.

“[Kowalczyk] is the complete package,” says head coach David Lewis. “She is a quality person and an accomplished soccer player, and she excels in the classroom. She continually sets a high standard for herself and provides a great model to be emulated. This award is a true honor for her and speaks of her dedication and tireless work ethic.” Kowalczyk is an inclusive childhood education major with concentrations in science and math. She scored 21 goals and 13 assists for the Highlanders this year, bringing her tally just three goals shy of tying Houghton’s all-time scoring record for the most goals in a career (79).

In her selection to the all-star teams, Kowalczyk keeps elite company. Only 12 players are named to the All-East Region 1st Team, but candidates are drawn from every division of collegiate sports – not only the schools in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), but also all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1, 2 and 3 schools. Kowalczyk’s achievements make Houghton College the only non-Division 1 school with an All-East Region 1st Team selection and the sole NAIA representative among the All-East Region 1st, 2nd or 3rd Teams this year.

Her NSCAA All-American academic award accompanies Kowalczyk's selection to the NSCAA All-American Team. She will be recognized for both awards at the upcoming NSCAA All-American banquet to be held in Indianapolis, Ind. on January 13, 2007.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 18, 2006 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 18, 2006
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648