Bell Takes Home ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honors
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Tuesday (Jan. 28) that former midfielder Joe Bell (Wanaka, New Zealand) was named the league’s Scholar Athlete of the Year. He is the first Virginia men’s soccer player to be bestowed the league’s highest academic honor.
Bell and teammates Robin Afamefuna (Wuerselen, Germany), Henry Kessler (New York, N.Y.), Colin Shutler (Middleburg, Va.) and Andreas Ueland (Bryne, Norway) were all members of the ACC All-Academic team. Bell was recognized for the third-straight season, the seventh UVA men’s soccer player to be recognized three times in their respective collegiate careers.
Afamefuna and Shutler each landed on the All-Academic team for the second-straight season. The five honorees were a new school record and are tied with Duke for the most in the ACC.
A psychology major, Bell adds to a long list of accolades after Virginia’s memorable run to the 2019 NCAA College Cup final. He was honored for his academic prowess nationally when he was named the United Soccer Coaches Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Bell was a consensus first team All-American and named the ACC’s Midfielder of the Year. Earlier this month he signed a professional contract in Norway with Viking FK.
Afamefuna and Kessler have also moved on to the professional ranks after being selected in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. Afamefuna was taken in the second round by the Colorado Rapids while Kessler was selected sixth overall by the New England Revolution. The duo along with Shutler and Ueland was one of the most formidable back lines in college soccer. The Cavaliers produced a NCAA-best 15 shutouts and boasted a goals against average of 0.52, tied for the lowest in the country.
To be eligible for consideration for the team, a student-athlete must have earned a 3.00 grade point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during her undergraduate and/or graduate academic career. Athletic achievements during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
The ACC Honor Roll, which recognizes all conference student-athletes with a grade point average of 3.0 for the current academic year, will be released in July.
2019 Men’s Soccer All-ACC Academic Team
Adam French, Boston College, F, Sr., Marketing
Joe Kellett, Boston College, M, Sr., Finance
Amos Shapiro-Thompson, Boston College, M, Fr., Undeclared
Oskar Agren, Clemson, D, Fr., Economics
Charlie Asensio**, Clemson, D, So., Sports Communication
George Marks, Clemson, GK, So., Psychology
Mattias Frick**, Duke, D, Jr., Political Science
Daniele Proch**, Duke, F, Sr., History
Will Pulisic***, Duke, GK, Jr., Political Science & Psychology
Aedan Stanley**, Duke, D, So., Undeclared
Brandon Williamson**, Duke, M, Sr., Sociology
Cody Cochran, Louisville, D, Gr., Human Resources and Organizational Development
Cherif Dieye, Louisville, M, Sr., Accounting
Emil Elveroth, Louisville, F, Jr., Finance
Jake Gelnovatch**, Louisville, GK, Jr., Sport Administration
Raul Aguilera, North Carolina, M, Jr., North Carolina
Tyler Gabarra, NC State, F, Sr., Sport Management
Jack Casey***, Notre Dame, M, Sr., Economics/Political Science
Felicien Dumas, Notre Dame, D, Gr., Master of Science Business
Jack Lynn, Notre Dame, F, So., Undeclared
Duncan Turnbull, Notre Dame, Sr., GK, Accountancy
Braden Kline, Pitt, M, Sr., Supply Chain Management
Arturo Ordonez, Pitt, D, Fr., Legal Studies
Jackson Walti, Pitt, M, So., Business Undeclared
Massimo Ferrin**, Syracuse, F, Sr., Communication & Rhetorical Studies
Hilli Goldhar, Syracuse, M, So., Information Management and Technology
Robin Afamefuna**, Virginia, M, Sr., Global Studies
Joe Bell***, Virginia, M, Jr., Psychology
Henry Kessler, Virginia, D, Jr., American Studies
Colin Shutler**, Virginia, GK, R-Jr., Psychology
Andreas Ueland, Virginia, D, Fr., Undeclared
Jon Ingason**, Virginia Tech, D, Sr., Psychology
James Kasak, Virginia Tech, M, Sr., Finance
Kristo Strickler, Virginia Tech, F, HNFE
Calvin Harris, Wake Forest, F, Fr., Undeclared
Allistair Johnston**, Wake Forest, M, Sr., Economics
Andrew Pannenberg, Wake Forest, GK, Jr., Communications
Isaiah Parente, Wake Forest, M, So., Undeclared