Bailey Sparks named to Hermann Trophy watch list

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Sparks Named To Hermann Trophy Watch List

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (United Soccer Coaches/SMU) – SMU Men's Soccer senior Bailey Sparks has been named to the 2024 Hermann Trophy Watch List, as announced by the United Soccer Coaches on Thursday.

The Hermann Trophy is presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club and is the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by voting of Division I head coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.

Sparks was among 16 players named to the watch list and one of only two Atlantic Coast Conference players to receive the honor. Virginia’s Nick Dang has also been included on the watch list.

The 2023 All-American and American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year started all 19 games for the Mustangs last year. He contributed two goals and five assists through the 2023 season, including a goal in the NCAA Championships to help take SMU to the round of 16.

With his inclusion in the watch list, Sparks has earned four preseason honors ahead of the 2024 season, including the ACC Preseason Watchlist, United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Midfielders to Watch and the Top Drawer Soccer Best XI First Team honors.

A total of 15 players will be named 2024 Hermann Trophy semifinalists on December 11 at the conclusion of NCAA Division I All-American voting. From that list, head coaches will cast votes, and three players will be named finalists. The 2024 recipient will be announced January 3, 2025, in a ceremony at the Missouri Athletic Club in downtown St. Louis, Mo.

Two former Mustangs, Mads Westergren and Jelldrik Dallmann, were named Hermann Trophy semifinalists last year.

SMU was picked eighth in the ACC Preseason Poll and tenth in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll ahead of their inaugural ACC campaign. They are among five ACC teams in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 10.

Sparks and the Mustangs begin their 2024 season by hosting Air Force on Aug. 22. It will be the team's first of 12 home games this season.