Ethics 101 must be a popular undergraduate course.  The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) handed out 59 team ethics awards to squads that exhibited fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game during the 2007 season.

Four NCAA women’s teams received Gold Team Ethics Awards for completing the season without either a yellow or a red card.  Alabama State, Hilbert, Principia and Saint Mary’s (Maryland) were recipients of the prestigious honor.

“To watch our players compete and perform as hard as they do is a testament to their ability to play within the rules of the game, and to do so with class,” said Hilbert women’s soccer coach James Ruggiero.

Forty teams claimed the silver award, which is presented to teams that don’t accumulate any red cards and a maximum of five yellow cards.  The bronze award was claimed by 14 teams, which didn’t receive any red cards and a maximum of 10 yellow cards.

Franklin and Marshall had the only men’s program to be honored.  The Diplomats received a silver award. For a full list of winners, click here.