Jeffrey Torda Named Conference USA Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year

IRVING, Texas (USC SID) – Gamecock Jeffrey Torda earned the Conference USA Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year award on Tuesday, the league office announced.  Torda stands with 17 other honorees and is the second Gamecock in as many years to win the distinction, joining 2015 alum Braeden Troyer.

Torda is a four-time C-USA Academic Honor Roll selection, a two-time C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal honoree and a two-time member of the C-USA All-Academic Team. Also a four-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, the Colleyville, Texas, native garnered back-to-back NSCAA Second-Team Scholar All-South and CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 selections in 2014 and 2015.

On the field, Torda led South Carolina with four game-winning goals in 2015 and tied for second on the team with five goals, earning Third-Team All-Conference USA honors. The senior from Colleyville, Texas wrapped up his Gamecock career with 15 career goals, six counting as game-winners.

The league’s faculty athletics representatives voted on the awards to cover the 19 sports sponsored by Conference USA. The award is based on academic achievement (GPA), athletic achievement and service. Torda stands as the only student of an affiliate member to gain the honor in 2015-16.

South Carolina begins its 2016 season, its 12th as a C-USA member, on August 26 against Clemson. 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. Season ticket purchasers will receive a Gamecock vuvuzela for each season ticket they buy. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@GamecockMSoccer) for team updates and information.

2015-16 C-USA SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD WINNERS:

Baseball                                                            Brett Lashley, Florida Atlantic

Chase Boster, Marshall

Men’s Basketball                                             Nick Norton, UAB

Women’s Basketball                                       Kendall Noble, WKU

Men’s Cross Country                                      Bryce McAndrew, North Texas

Women’s Cross Country                                Alexandra Phares, Marshall

Football                                                            Lee McNeil, Charlotte

Men’s Golf                                                        Cory Churchman, North Texas

Women’s Golf                                                  Ellinor Haag, WKU

Men’s Soccer                                                   Jeffrey Torda, South Carolina #

Women’s Soccer                                             Claire Emslie, Florida Atlantic

Softball                                                             Morgan Zerkle, Marshall

Women’s Swimming & Diving                      Mackenzie Payment, Old Dominion

Men’s Tennis                                                    Jordi Massalle Ferrer, Charlotte

Women’s Tennis                                             Katherine Ip, Rice

Men’s Track and Field                                    Connor Bey, North Texas

Women’s Track and Field                              *Belle MacFarlane, Rice

Volleyball                                                         Ally Kiekover, Marshall

* Repeat winner

# Affiliate member

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