This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Seattle University's Stephanie Verdoia is the second former Utah high school soccer player to win the Senior CLASS Award in NCAA Division I soccer.
The award, chosen by a vote of Division I women's soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women's soccer. To be eligible for the award, a player must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in classroom, community, character and competition.
Verdoia is a Brighton High graduate. Last season, former Alta player Kealia Ohai won the CLASS award as a player for the University of North Carolina.
CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The award is given in 10 sports and is designed to encourage students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
"My time as a student-athlete at Seattle University for the past four years has prepared me for life after college in more ways than one," said Verdoia. "Academically, I have been challenged and have continuously developed new perspectives and standards for myself and the world around me."
Verdoia earned third-team All-America honors as a senior while leading the Western Athletic Conference in scoring with 22 goals and assists with 13 goals. The political science major accumulated a 3.96 grade point average. She served as the vice president of Seattle University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and works with the Peer Mentorship program. Among her many humanitarian activities as a spring break trip to Belize in 2013 to help children in an orphanage.
– Tom Wharton