Tusculum’s Goellner, Brevard’s Azevedo Named SAC Soccer Scholar-Athletes

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Tusculum senior Andy Goellner and Brevard senior Chantel Azevedo have been named the 2012 SAC Soccer Scholar-Athletes of the Year, an award which recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, service and leadership.

The Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards are given to one male and one female student-athlete in each of the SAC's 14 championship sports. The awards are voted on by the conference's Faculty Athletic Representatives.

"Andy and Chantel are great representatives of the South Atlantic Conference," said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. "Their impressive achievements span every walk of the student-athlete experience."

Goellner, a keeper on the Tusculum men's team that earned a spot in the SAC Soccer Championship, started 12 matches during the regular season, recording a .661 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranks among the all-time TC leaders in minutes played, saves, shutouts and goals against average.

As a junior, Goellner started all 18 matches for Tusculum, tallying seven shutouts and a .781 save percentage, which was the fourth-best in the SAC.

Academically, Goellner is a three-time Capital One Academic All-America Team nominee. He carries a 3.75 GPA studying sport management, business management and accounting.

He is a multi-year member of the Tusculum Dean's List, the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List, the TC Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, and the Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Goellner serves as a tutor and teaching assistant in the Tusculum sports management department, and was named to the Sport Launch Magazine list of 30 students and professionals under 30 to watch in the sports industry. He has received awards from the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, along with the National Association for Sport Physical Education.

Goellner is a frequent campus and community volunteer, serving with organizations that include Habitat for Humanity, Operation Christmas Child, Bonner Leadership Program, Nettie Day of Service, Greeneville Humane Society and the Tusculum Center for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship.

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Azevedo, meanwhile, started 15 games this season for the Brevard women's program after fighting back from a torn ACL as a sophomore that cut her junior season short as well.

An integrated studies and political science major, Azevedo currently holds a 3.90 GPA. She is a multi-year member of the Brevard Dean's List and Honor Roll, and has won the award for the highest GPA in her class three years running.

Azevedo is also a three-time winner of the Clarion Award, which recognizes improvement in the school newspaper.

She is active in leadership roles with many campus organizations, including the BC Debate Society, Campus Activities Board, Academic Enrichment Center, Student Government Association, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Young Politicians of America.

Azavedo also gives back to her local community, serving with the Bread of Life soup kitchen.