Hancock's Mario Delgado Named USCA Scholar All-American

Allan Hancock College's Mario Delgado is one of 22 community college men's soccer players in the nation named a Scholar All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association (USCA). The sophomore defender landed on the USCA Junior College Men's Scholar All-America Second Team. Both the first and second teams featured 11 student-athletes from across country. Delgado was the only player selected as a Scholar All-American from a Western State Conference program and one of four from a California community college.

In order to be eligible for nomination, sophomore student-athletes needed to have a 3.30 cumulative grade point average, start more than 50 percent of their teams' games and significantly contribute to their team.

Delgado, a recreation management major, has a 3.4 GPA. The sophomore earned all-conference honors in the fall after he finished with two goals and one assist for the Bulldogs. He scored the game-winning goal in the team's 2-1 victory over College of the Sequoias.

"Mario was the core of our defense. His leadership in the back was a key part in our success this season," said Billy Vinnedge, the head coach of Hancock's men's soccer team. "Mario is the perfect example of a student-athlete, and he takes a lot of pride in achieving success in both the classroom and on the field. He is a player that every coach wants on his team to represent their program."

Scholar All-Americans will be honored for their accomplishments at the All-America Luncheon next month during the USCA's convention in Philadelphia, PA. The USCA, formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), is the largest soccer coaches' organization in the world.