Nathaniel Gibbons Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

2018 Mar 5

Nathaniel Gibbons of Frederick, Md., has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship of $7,500 for his upcoming graduate studies. Gibbons, a graduate of Urbana High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in physics and mathematics at The Valley.

The NCAA awards postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who are in their final year of college athletics eligibility. Up to 175 scholarships are awarded each year for use toward an accredited graduate program. Awardees are evaluated on their academic and athletic achievement, campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities, and demonstrated leadership. The program rewards college athletes whose dedication and effort reflect the characteristics needed to succeed in graduate study.

Gibbons is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American. He became the first men's soccer player in program history to receive the honor when he was named to the organization's third team as a junior before earning second-team recognition this fall. He has twice been named to CoSIDA's Academic All-District Team and he's earned spots on the Academic All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Team two years in row. One of LVC's prestigious Allwein Scholars, the senior carries an impressive 3.97 cumulative GPA as a Physics and Mathematics double major.

"These scholarships are one of the ways the NCAA provides a pathway to opportunity for student-athletes," said Mattie White, chair of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee and senior associate athletics director at Indiana. "These scholarships are reserved for student-athletes with distinguished college careers highlighted by outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. These experiences prepare them for success in graduate study and life."

Gibbons helped lead the Flying Dutchmen (15-5-1) to their second consecutive ECAC Division III Championship in 2017. Gibbons was named to the ECAC Championship All-Tournament team for his efforts. He was named MAC Commonwealth Second-Team All-Conference after turning in a breakout season in 2016. As a senior, he again anchored a defensive unit that recorded nine shutout victories and surrendered just 1.14 goals per outing. He was a driving force behind a group that allowed just 10.6 shots per contest, while holding opponents to a 0.419 shots-on-goal percentage.