ROCHESTER, Mich. - Noah Jensen has been selected as the 2021 Senior CLASS Award ® winner in NCAA ® Division I men's soccer. Jensen is the second recipient in school history to win this prestigious award, following Nick Kristock in 2013.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete. It encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character, and competition.
The award, chosen by a vote of Division I men's soccer coaches, national soccer media, and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men's soccer.
"Over my four and a half years of being a student-athlete at Oakland University, I have learned a lot about myself as both an athlete and a person," said Jensen, the Golden Grizzlies' standout midfielder. "Enduring the ups and downs of being a college athlete while competing at a high level tests you both mentally and physically. However, this challenge to be the best player and person I can be has motivated me to achieve great things both on and off the field. The lessons I have learned thus far are invaluable and will stay with me forever, regardless of the next step in my journey. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and platform that Oakland and college athletics have provided me to prove what I'm capable of. Even though I began at Oakland as just a kid from Courtice, Ontario, I have grown to be much more than that. I am an actuarial science graduate, a proud member of the Oakland family, and an honored recipient of the Senior CLASS Award."
Jensen's entire career at Oakland was incredible. Even as a defensive midfielder, he totaled an impressive 72 points (20 G, 38 A) and played 80 games while starting 76 of them.
Jensen came to Oakland from Canada five years ago and immediately made his presence known on the field, starting in nine of 16 games. His efforts earned him a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman team.
The success of his freshman season propelled him into an even better sophomore year. Here he was essential in helping hold the backline, leading Oakland to four shutouts on the season. Starting every game, Jensen also had one goal and four assists.
Junior year, Jensen was named captain and again started in every game. He finished second on the team in points (13), tied for second in assists (5), and tied for third in goals (4). Jensen was named to the HLMSOC All-League second team after having the best statistical season of his first three years.
Jensen had one of the best seasons in program history as a senior. He was named a first-team All-North Region selection and second-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, becoming the first to earn recognition this high at Oakland. After leading the conference in total points, he was also honored as the 2021 Horizon League Player of the Year (22). Jensen paced the country in assists (14) and assists per game (1.56) while finishing third in points per game (2.44) as well. Leading Oakland to a record of 6-1-2, Jensen added to his accolades by being named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
After deciding his work wasn't done, Jensen elected to come back for a fifth year. Jensen led the team to regular season and conference tournament champions in the Horizon League, the first time a school has won both titles in seven years. Jensen was named the Horizon League Men's Soccer Championship MVP after scoring three goals in the conference tournament. Under his leadership, the men made an NCAA tournament appearance, the first since 2015. Leading the conference in total points (28), assists (12), and assists per game (0.60), Jensen was named to the HLMSOC All-League first team for the second time, along with earning a spot on the NCAA All-Region North First Team.
The success did not stop off the field. Jensen was fully committed to his studies in the classroom. He earned his undergraduate degree in actuarial science while manning an impressive 3.70 GPA. In 2020-21, Jensen was honored as a United Soccer Coaches NCAA DI Men's Scholar All-Region and Scholar All-America first-team selection. He was tabbed to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches NCAA DI Men's Scholar All-North/Central Region first team the year prior. Jensen was also named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team this season for the third consecutive time and earned Horizon League Honor Roll status every semester.
Jensen has willingly dedicated his time to the community in Oakland County. His efforts include volunteering with OUCares, TeamIMPACT, Adopt a Trail, and spreading awareness for ALS. The Golden Grizzlies hold community service to be one of the most important pillars at the school; Jensen has helped to uphold that tradition.
"Noah epitomizes everything special that encompasses being an NCAA DI student-athlete. He has fully embraced those roles from day one of stepping on campus in August of 2017," said Eric Pogue, head coach of the Golden Grizzlies. "Noah's development as a player has turned him into a multiple league champion and All-American. He has shown his commitment to Oakland for years. He was named a two-time Scholar All-American, as well as shown his leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. He has distinguished himself as one of the best ever to wear the Oakland Black and Gold through our rich 49-year history of excellence."
"Noah Jensen has been an incredible representative of what the model student-athlete looks like," said Erik Miner, Executive Director of the Senior CLASS Award. "He has greatly excelled in all areas - the classroom, community, and on the field. We would like to offer our congratulations to Noah and Oakland University for winning this award."
For more information on all of the finalists, visit SeniorCLASSAward.com.
