Lenoir-Rhyne's Rubio Named 2023 SAC Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lenoir-Rhyne's Ivan Rubio was voted the 2023 South Atlantic Conference Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service, and leadership.

Rubio, a graduate student completing his MBA in Business Analytics and Information, holds a 3.98 grade point average. He was named to both the Lenoir-Rhyne Dean's List and President's List for his academic achievements. Rubio serves as a computer science and math tutor at Lenoir-Rhyne, aiding students with difficulties in their academic challenges.

Rubio finished the 2023 season with three goals and two assists to total eight points while starting in 15 games. During this past season, the Bears posted the third-best record in program history with 21 points and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Rubio was the sole Bear to be awarded First Team All-Conference honors by the South Atlantic Conference for his efforts on the year.

Despite persistent muscle issues, Rubio concluded the 2022 season with two goals and one assist in 10 starts. He scored the game-winning goal and helped keep a clean sheet in the Bear's huge 2-0 win over Barry (who would go on to win the regional title and advance to the NCAA Semifinals) during the regular season. Rubio was a part of the Lenoir-Rhyne team that captured their first SAC Championship title since 2006, earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and ranked sixth in the National Poll and second in the Super-Region.

The Pamplona, Spain native was extremely active in his community, participating in community service hours, tutoring, and serving as a course assistant for computer science classes to support both teachers and students. Rubio was also part of a facial recognition research project and served as the USL 2 Captain for FC Carolinas. In Spain, he contributed to a foundation collecting food for the needy to continue his commitment to community service.

Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Harry Whitehead, Carson-Newman

Henok Awoke, Newberry

Jean-Pierre Vital, Tusculum

Owen Marshall, Wingate

Peter Plougmand, Mars Hill

Ivan Rubio, Lenoir-Rhyne

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