CSR (Veldhouse Named First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American in Men's Soccer)

November 24, 2003

Joel Veldhouse Named First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Calvin College senior Joel Veldhouse has been named a
first team CoSIDA Academic All-American in men's soccer. The award is indeed
significant as Veldhouse received the honor in the college division which
consists of more than 500 total schools at the NAIA, NCAA II and NCAA III
levels. Veldhouse is one of 33 individuals nationwide named to either the
first, second or third team by the College Sports Information Director's
Association and one of just nine midfielders to be so honored.

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and a graduate of Sioux Falls Christian
High School, Veldhouse carries a 3.83 grade point average in biochemistry with
plans to attend medical school after graduating from Calvin. Veldhouse is a
two-time member of the Calvin Dean's List and a member of the 2002-2003 MIAA
Academic Honor Roll,

Veldhouse is third men's soccer player from Calvin to receive CoSIDA
Academic All-America honors and the first to be named to the first team as Sam
Glass received second team honors in 1997 and 1998 and Will Watts third team
honors in 1998. Like Veldhouse, Watts was also a biochemistry major and is
currently a medical doctor in Southern California.

This past fall, Veldhouse led the Calvin men's soccer team in scoring with
13 goals, nine assists and 35 points. He also landed a spot on the All-MIAA
first team for the second straight year.

Veldhouse also helped Calvin capture a share of its first MIAA title since
1999 as the Knights shared the crown with Hope, finishing 10-2-0 in league
play. Overall, Calvin finished 15-5-0 and broke into the national rankings
during the final two weeks of the regular season including a national ranking
of 15th - the highest in Calvin men's soccer history.

A year ago, Veldhouse led the Knights in scoring with 42 points on the
strength of 17 goals and eight assists. He was later named the MIAA's MVP in
men's soccer and landed a spot on the All-MIAA first team and NCAA Division
III Great Lakes All-Region second team. Over the course of his Calvin career,
he has netted six game-winning goals including three this year.

Veldhouse has served as a team captain in 2002 and 2003. He has also served as
a medical volunteer in the southwest side of Grand Rapids through Health
Intervention Services. Although a senior academically, Veldhouse has junior
athletic ability and plans to return to Calvin for the 2004 fall semester for
his final year of soccer eligibility.

Veldhouse is the son of Terry and Ladeen Veldhouse of Sioux Falls, South
Dakota.

Veldhouse is one of two MIAA men's soccer players to receive CoSIDA Academic
All-America honors as Andrew Kemple of Kalamazoo College was named to the third
team.

Calvin has now had its athletes recognized as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans 52
times including 26 times in the last six years.

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Mon Nov 24 18:01:53 2003