INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Dr. John Bratcher, head coach of the IWU women's soccer team has been selected by the NISOA (National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association) as its recipient of the 2006 Collegiate National Merit Award. Each year the award is given to one collegiate coach, and one high school coach whose reputations are recognized as praiseworthy, and reflective of the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior. The award was presented at the NSCAA convention's award banquet January 12, 2007, at the NSCAA Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Coach Bratcher, a member of the NCCAA Hall of Fame, notched his 400th career win of his 26-year career during the 2006 season, and his overall intercollegiate record now stands at 411-175-38. The 2006 season gave the Wildcats their 5th consecutive MCC championship under Bratcher, and in 2005, Coach Bratcher was named MCC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in as many seasons at IWU. Bratcher has twice been awarded the NCCAA National Coach of the year in 1982 and 1985. In addition to his many accomplishments on the field, Bratcher has held many positions in soccer administration as well. Bratcher has served as the MCC Women's Soccer Chair from 2002 to the present and prior to that he served as the TVAC and TranSouth Conference Soccer Chair from 1990-1995 and 1996-2001 respectively. For seven years Bratcher has served on the NSCAA Ethics Committee and in 1990 and 1991, he served as a National Referee Camp Panel Member for NISOA. Over the course of his career Bratcher has also been very involved in community service both locally and throughout the world. He was on of the founders of the Greater Cleveland, TN Soccer Association and served as a board member for 7 years. Bratcher has also served on international mission trips 7 times. Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university that was founded in 1920 and is committed to liberal arts and professional education. IWU is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II and competes in the Mid-Central College Conference. IWU also belongs to the National Christian College Athletic Association.