Emma Davidson is at the centre of a team with the highest academic average at the University of Regina.
“I love learning,” said Davidson, a biology student who recorded an astounding 95.50% GPA for her last season on Cougars Women’s Soccer.
“It means a lot to have a good GPA, but the learning itself has been the most important thing.”
Davidson was awarded at the Cougar Women’s Soccer Annual Awards Banquet on Nov. 22.
She hopes this achievement and the high team standard sends a message that “inspires others who are currently pursuing school and sport … and that it shows you can succeed in multiple areas at once.”
Davidson also serves as head of the team’s Education Committee, a role focused on helping teammates excel academically. Head Coach Astrid Baecker says Davidson sets the standard.
“As a leader in the program, she takes pride in giving all players the tools to become academic weapons,” said Baecker.
Along with Davidson, Cougars Women’s Soccer has earned the highest team GPA of all eight varsity programs at the University of Regina. 16 athletes were recognized as U SPORTS Academic All-Canadians, a new program record.
The team doesn’t always sit in the media spotlight in a varsity landscape dominated by the Rams and high-profile basketball programs and often operates quietly in the background.
Women’s soccer has faced challenges on the field over the past two seasons — posting a program record of 5-7-2 last season and 4-9-1 this year, finishing 5th and 6th respectively in the Canada West Prairie Division. The team also hasn’t cracked a Canada West top four finish in recent years and has yet to reach U SPORTS Nationals.
But where wins have been hard to come by, the program has built a different kind of legacy grounded in academic excellence, leadership and community impact.
Both Baecker, and Davidson agree that the academic recognition reflects a culture built on effort, discipline and a broad understanding of sport.
“I think we have to think of sport with a wider lens, one that goes beyond winning championships and trophies,” said Davidson. “Participating in varsity athletics as a woman has provided me the opportunity to develop skills that will absolutely help in life beyond soccer, especially in the area of leadership.”
Davidson wants to pursue medicine or continue research in microbiology.
Baecker believes the team’s success off the pitch is just as important as traditional athletic milestones and should be celebrated as such.
“I think it is very important that these women are seen and valued for the work they do on and off field,” said Baecker. “These women are role models for all soccer players in our community and it’s important on our storytelling of the team to celebrate the academic success not just athletic.”
The success also helps shape the future of the program. Strong academic results draw attention from potential recruits across Canada, reinforcing the team’s commitment to supporting student-athletes in all aspects of their development.
“The more success a program can celebrate, the more people learn the name U of R,” said Baecker. “This success reinforces our commitment as a program to give players the resources to help them achieve standards of excellence.”
