The 6-foot-9 Soderberg, who started the final 105 games of his 4-year Cougar career, was the epitome of Cougar head coach Bill Odell’s balanced approach the game and was a stalwart in one of the NAIA’s elite programs. During the 2006 season, Soderberg averaged 10.6 points, a team-high 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks per game.
His best outing of the season came against NAIA Division II power Holy Names in which he tallied 22 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in leading the Cougars to a 37-point victory. Soderberg also registered 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in a Golden State Athletic Conference victory over California Baptist.
Over the course of his 4-year career, Soderberg, who prepped at Centennial High in Corona, Calif., led the Cougars to an impressive 118-28 (.808) record and 4 straight Golden State Athletic Conference titles. Additionally, he guided Azusa Pacific to the NAIA Championship Tournament each season which included the Cougars’ first-ever championship game appearance in 2005.
Sodergberg played in 143 games, second most in Azusa Pacific history. He became only the fifth Cougar ever to tally over 1,500 points and 800 rebounds. For his career, he averaged 10.8 point and 5.7 rebounds.
Last year, Soderberg was a second team selection, and he joins T.J. Walker (1998 and 1999) and John Bourne (2001 and 2002) as the only Cougars ever to be named to the 1 of the 3 NAIA All-America teams in successive seasons.
Junior guard Demario Butler received honorable mention. Click here to view the entire 2006 NAIA All-American teams.
