KANSAS CITY, Mo.- Grand View's Head Coach David Groves was named the 2025 NAIA Select Sports America Coach of the Year after leading Vikings men's soccer to its first-ever national championship. After being picked to finish second-to-last in the Heart of America Conference preseason poll and entering the NAIA National Tournament unseeded, the Vikings authored one of the most remarkable postseason runs in championship history.

"While the recognition is personal, the credit belongs to the players and staff," said Groves. "The players continue to drive a culture that's built on high character, accountability, and leading by example. The staff’s tireless work in and out of season has been essential, as has the collective commitment to reshaping the roster, growing together, and navigating difficult moments the right way."

The Vikings concluded the season 18-4-3 as national champions and handed WVU Tech (W.Va)(20-1-2) its only loss of the season. Grand View only conceded one goal during the postseason tournament, and along the way, defeated #16 Indiana Wesleyan (1-0), #1 Bethel (Ind.) (1-0), #9 Georgia Gwinnett (2-0), #12 Cumberlands (Ky.) (1-0), and #11 WVU Tech (2-1) en route to the national title.

The championship season was highlighted by numerous individual honors. Kevin Ventura earned NAIA Player of the Year and NAIA National Tournament MVP honors, while Luis Helm was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Year. Ventura, Helm, and Justin Figaroa were selected as NAIA All-Americans, with Ventura, Helm, Figaroa, and Pietro Piacenza earning All-Tournament recognition. Additionally, Ventura, Helm, Figaroa, Payton Chapman, and Nacho Gonzalez were named All-Conference selections.

Since taking over the program in April of 2022, Groves has compiled an overall record of 43-25-12.

"No matter how many times we were behind, there was always a belief that we would find a way. Adversity became familiar, not intimidating. The result is a unified, driven team that embraces the work and prioritizes winning together. The sacrifice has been significant, but the results speak for themselves—the program is hungrier, more connected, and resilient than ever."