LATHAM, N.Y. – Jack Nelson '26 (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill) was selected as the United East Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete for Men's Soccer as announced by the conference office Thursday morning (Feb. 12). This award recognizes a senior who truly represents the student-athlete model by performing in competition, in the classroom and around the community.
"Jack is a wonderful soccer player and a fantastic student-athlete. He has led by example both on and off the field and has made a huge impact on our soccer program over the past four years," veteran Head Coach
Alun Oliver said.
Criteria for the award are as follows:
- A student-athlete must have a senior or graduate student class standing.
- A student-athlete must be at least in his or her second year of competition at their current institution in any sport.
- Must be a leading contributor to a team's success throughout the duration of his or her career.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Evidence of active leadership and community service involvement throughout collegiate career.
Fourteen (14) Seahawks have earned the United East Senior Scholar-Athlete Award in their respective sport since the award's inception during the 2022-23 academic year. Nelson is the second men's soccer player to garner the Senior Scholar-Athlete honor.
Nelson owns a 3.75 cumulative GPA as an economics and business administration double major.
He is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society for juniors and seniors, and a three-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree. Nelson was named a 2022 United East Scholar-Athlete and has landed on the United East Fall All-Academic Team for the last three seasons. He also received the Ho Nguyen Scholarship in economics.
On the field, the 5-9 defender was the back-to-back United East Defensive Player of the Year (2024, 2025). He ended his Seahawk career as a three-time All-United East selection, including landing twice on the First Team (2024, 2025). Nelson also collected a pair of United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV awards, gaining Third Team honors in 2024 and landing on the First Team as a senior.
Nelson has volunteered his time for several camps and clinics, including a clinic in Porto, Portugal for a local orphanage. He also participated in a reading program with the local elementary schools.
Past United East Senior Scholar-Athletes from SMCM
- Jack Nelson '26 – Men's Soccer (2025)
- Jena Vanskiver '26 – Field Hockey (2025)
- Giselle Harris '25 – Women's Tennis (2025)
- Devon Gorel '25 – Men's Tennis (2025)
- Quinnten Hatfield '25 – Men's Lacrosse (2025)
- Michael Wade '25 – Men's Cross Country (2024)
- Ariana Lecouras '25 – Women's Cross Country (2024)
- Betsy Robey '24 – Women's Outdoor Track & Field (2024)
- MC Mortimer '24 – Women's Lacrosse (2024)
- Quentin Pastore '24 – Men's Cross Country (2023)
- Stacie Lally '24 – Women's Cross Country (2023)
- Hannah Gorel '23 – Women's Tennis (2023)
- Lily Davison '23 – Women's Lacrosse (2023)
- Liam deLone-Bellsey '23 – Men's Soccer (2022)
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