Nov. 8, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina senior co-captain Kevin Stam and sophomore midfielder Braeden Troyer have earned selection to the 2012 Conference USA All-Academic Team, the league office announced on Thursday. It is the first selection to the squad for both student-athletes.

Stam holds a stellar GPA as a social work major at South Carolina. The Raleigh, N.C., native, who was honored earlier this season as part of the University’s “No Limits” campaign, started every game this season, registering 11 shots, including five on goal while playing nearly every minute. As a key member of the defensive line, Stam helped the Gamecocks record five shutouts in 2012.

Troyer, who also earned all-conference accolades for the second-consecutive season earlier this week, was also named to the Capital One Academic All-District 4 Team earlier this month. Troyer, who maintains an outstanding GPA as a mathematics major, posted three goals and one assist for seven points this season. Playing nearly every minute in 2012, he also had 15 shots on the year, with six on goal. The Columbia, S.C., native scored his first goal of the season versus then-No. 25 UAB in mid-October, before also posting scores against Marshall and Memphis.

2012 CONFERENCE USA MEN’S SOCCER ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Name / School / Class / Major
Joseph Dawkins / FIU / Senior / Recreation & Sport Management (Business Administration)
*Anthony Hobbs / FIU / Senior / Recreation & Sport Management (Business Administration)
Jack Van Arsdale / Kentucky / Junior / Exercise Science & Pre-Med
Zach Hunter / Marshall / Junior / Chemistry & Math
**Andreas Guentner / Memphis / Senior / International Business & German
*Mark Sherrod / Memphis / Junior / Civil Engineering
Kevin Stam / South Carolina / Senior / Social Work
Braeden Troyer / South Carolina / Mathematics
*Jake Dobkins / Tulsa / Senior / Management
Mark Pais / Tulsa / Senior / Business
Reed Matte / UAB / Senior / Anthropology
*A.J. Nelson / UCF / Senior / Finance

*Repeat Selection