July 9, 2015

DALLAS, Texas –

Gamecock Braeden Troyer earned the Conference USA Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year award on Thursday by commissioner Britton Banowsky. Troyer stands with 16 other honorees and is the only one from an affiliate member school.

Troyer gained four C-USA Academic Medals during his career at South Carolina, given out to students who have a 3.75 grade-point average each year. Also a four-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, the Columbia, S.C., native became the eighth men’s soccer player named an Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America, garnering first-team honors. Troyer also procured a spot as one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.

On the field, Troyer earned All-C-USA honors all four years, including second-team spots in 2012-14. He also has three nods to his credit on both the C-USA All-Academic Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 team. In 2014, he also earned placement on the C-USA All-Tournament Team after helping the Gamecocks make the championship match with two upset wins. Twice, Troyer was a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-South Region second team.

Troyer started every match he played during his four-year career, scoring 10 goals. He joined the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League this spring. The Kickers have an affiliation agreement with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United.

The league’s faculty athletics representatives voted on the awards to cover the 19 sports sponsored by Conference USA. Troyer stands as the only student of an affiliate member to gain the honor in 2014-15.

South Carolina begins its 2015 season, its 11th as a C-USA member, on August 28 against Mercer. Combined season tickets with the women’s team are on sale now at GamecocksOnline.com/Tickets. Adults can gain admission to every men’s and women’s soccer home match for $25, while season tickets for youth 17 and under are just $10. Like last year, season ticket purchasers will receive a Gamecock soccer scarf for each season ticket they buy.

Conference USA Scholar-Athletes of the Year
2014-15 Award Winners

Baseball ââ’¬” James McMahon, Southern Miss
Men’s Basketball ââ’¬” Seth Gearhart, Rice
Women’s Basketball ââ’¬” Cameasha Turner, UTEP
Men’s Cross Country ââ’¬” Elphas Maiyo, UTEP
Women’s Cross Country ââ’¬” Mary Lever, Western Kentucky
Football – Brian Nordstrom, Rice
Men’s Golf ââ’¬” Brett Patterson, Middle Tennessee*
Women’s Golf ââ’¬” Camino Sardinero, UTEP*
Men’s Soccer ââ’¬” Braeden Troyer, South Carolina
Women’s Soccer ââ’¬” Kelly Culicerto, Marshall
Softball ââ’¬” Megan Low, UTSA
Women’s Swimming & Diving ââ’¬” Krista Rossum, North Texas*
Men’s Tennis ââ’¬” Carlos Lopez Villa, Old Dominion
Women’s Tennis ââ’¬” Franziska Sprinkmeyer, North Texas*
Men’s Track & Field ââ’¬” Evan Karakolis, Rice
Women’s Track & Field ââ’¬” Belle MacFarlane, Rice
Volleyball ââ’¬” Samantha Bane, Marshall & Dempsey Thornton, UTSA

* – Repeat winner