(July 26, 2023 4:45 PM ET) Spring Arbor University women’s soccer player Mackenzie Selvius has been named the 2022-23 Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for NAIA, as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). She is the first in school history to earn the honor, which recognizes the top student-athlete among all NAIA schools across all sports.
Selvius, a senior from Grand Rapids, Mich., led national champion Spring Arbor (19-1-3) with 17 goals, a career-high nine assists and a career-high 43 points in 2022. The midfielder was named to the national championship’s all-tournament team, received NAIA All-American First-Team honors, and was selected to the All-Crossroads League First Team.
A three-time Academic All-America® honoree, Selvius is a finance major with a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average.
“Given the extreme level of competition across the NAIA, I am more than humbled to receive this award,” said Selvius. “More than anything, it is a testament to my coaches, teammates, and support system who were there through this whole insanely fun journey. I wish I could do it all over again.”
During her time at SAU, Selvius helped guide the Cougars to an 81-12-13 record, two Crossroads League regular season championships, one Crossroads League Tournament title and three national tournament semifinal appearances, including this past season where the team would go on to claim the third red banner in program history. Selvius was a three-time NAIA All-American – including two first team selections – and was named to the All-Crossroads League First Team four times along with winning the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2020 and the league’s Midfielder of the Year in 2021. She finished her career with 65 goals, 27 assists and 157 points.
Spring Arbor head women’s soccer Coach Jason Crist said, “I am very excited for Mackenzie to receive this award. Her hard work, intelligence and leadership are evident in her life both as a soccer player, and as a student. Kenzie is one of the best leaders that I have ever coached, and she is truly deserving of this honor.”
To be named an Academic All-American is to be recognized as elite, both in athletic competition and in the classroom. Less than one percent of all NCAA and NAIA student-athletes are voted by CSC members to be called an Academic All-American.
Recent NAIA overall AAA-OTY Winners
2021-22: Giovanna Tapigliani – Missouri Baptist Volleyball
2020-21: Giovanna Tapigliani – Missouri Baptist Volleyball
2019-20: Grace Barry – Concordia Nebraska Women’s Basketball
2018-19: Christina Klouda – Cumberlands Swimming & Diving
2017-18: Kyle Steigenga – Cornerstone Men’s Basketball