Jared McPeek Named 2022 DI Men's Soccer Kyle Rote, Jr. Award Recipient

GREENVILLE, S.C. - The NCCAA has announced Greenville University's Jared McPeek as the 2022 NCCAA Kyle Rote Jr. Award Recipient for Division I Men's Soccer.

A four-year team captain as determined by his teammates, McPeek has been an integral part of leading his team on and off the field during his time at Greenville University. The forward has tallied 53 goals throughout his career, which has made him the leading goal scorer for the Panthers four out of his five seasons.

This season alone, he led his team to an 11-4-5 overall record, winning the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) tournament title, and the squad earned a berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship. McPeek has been honored as a SLIAC All-Conference, SLIAC All-Sportsmanship, NCCAA All-Regional, NCCAA All-American, and Greenville H.J. Long Award (outstanding senior male student-athlete) recipient.

McPeek is pursuing a master of education degree with an emphasis in coaching and holds a 3.3 GPA. He plans to continue his impact with the soccer program after this season as a graduate assistant.

McPeek has only grown in his leadership and faith since arriving at Greenville. While in college, he has spent time with the Chicago Eagles, a division of Missionary Athletes International (MAI), leading camps and youth soccer ministries. While on a trip with the Eagles to Brazil, he was baptized and experienced a renewing of his faith.

The graduate student has also been a volunteer soccer coach for the Kingsbury Park District in Greenville for four years and plans to head up the entire program this spring.

"Jared is someone his teammates respect because his actions match his words," said head men's soccer coach Chris Swift. "He is constantly the voice of reason within the team and knows what to say and how to say it. Jared knows when to advocate for his teammates and when to hold them accountable.

McPeek was chosen winner among a field of two other finalists including Isaiah Jones of Kentucky Christian and Matthew Walraven of Redeemer.

Award Description
Kyle Rote, Jr. simply excelled in every area of life. He played every available sport.  Soccer grabbed his allegiance in his teen years, and he was an All-American selection during his days at the University of the South. He rose to worldwide fame as the first US professional player to be viewed as a superstar during the days of the North American Soccer League. He played with and against the game's best, including Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, George Best, and Rodney Marsh. He achieved some of his greatest fame by winning the Superstar Competition in which top athletes from every professional sport competed in a wide array of skills. He bested the likes of Lynn Swan, Drew Pearson, and Franco Harris. Throughout his career in sports, and today as a representative for professional athletes, Kyle Rote, Jr. simply let his faith in Christ drive him to be excellent as a husband, father, and community leader. The NCCAA is proud to present an honor of this magnitude in Kyle's honor.