You Won’t Believe Who Topped the 2025 All-ACC Men’s Soccer Academic Team – Shocking Secrets Revealed!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has recognized Virginia senior midfielder Umberto Pelà as the 2025 Men’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year. This honor is part of the annual announcement made by the league office, showcasing the academic and athletic excellence of student-athletes across the conference.

Originally from Milan, Italy, Pelà has made significant strides both on the field and in the classroom. He was also named to the 2025 Academic All-America Men’s Soccer Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC), marking him as the third Academic All-American in the program's history. Furthermore, he earned a spot as a first-team Scholar All-American, emphasizing his commitment to academic excellence alongside his athletic achievements.

On the field, Pelà's performance has been notable. He was selected as a second-team All-America and second-team All-ACC player after starting in all 17 games for the Cavaliers during the season. He recorded a single-season career high with four goals and five assists, tallying a total of 18 points. As a two-year captain, Pelà played a crucial role in guiding the Cavaliers to the ACC championship game and helping secure the second top-four NCAA seed in the past four seasons.

Following a successful college career, Pelà was selected in the second round of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas, going 44th overall. This transition to professional soccer marks a new chapter for Pelà, who has balanced the demands of high-level athletics with academic commitments.

A total of 130 student-athletes were honored on the men’s soccer All-ACC Academic Team, with representation from all 15 ACC programs. Notably, Louisville led with 13 honorees, while Notre Dame, SMU, and Stanford each had 11 student-athletes recognized.

The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year award was established in September 2007, recognizing top junior or senior student-athletes in their respective sports. To qualify, candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout their academic careers, as well as during the last two semesters. Academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team also include a 3.0 GPA for the previous two semesters, a cumulative average of 3.0 over their academic career, and participation in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests.

As academic standards continue to rise within collegiate athletics, Pelà’s achievements serve as an inspiring example for aspiring student-athletes. His dual commitment to sports and education reflects the high caliber of talent present in the ACC, emphasizing how student-athletes can excel in both their athletic pursuits and academic endeavors.

The full list of the All-ACC Academic Team is available through the league's official channels, highlighting the remarkable dedication and accomplishments of student-athletes across the conference.