Bynum a trail blazer in soccer

Nicole Bynum can lay claim to being a member of Arkansas soccer’s first-ever Southeastern Conference Western Division championship team. During Bynum’s freshman season, the Razorbacks bested its competition for the 1996 division title.

Behind great speed, the four-year letterwinner totaled 13 helpers and is currently 10th on Arkansas’ all-time assists list. In her senior season, Bynum dished out a career-best three assists against Wisconsin-Green Bay, bettering her previous career mark of two set a year earlier against Oral Roberts.

Bynum was a key contributor to an Arkansas team that made three appearances in the SEC Tournament during her four years wearing the Cardinal and White. In 1996, the Razorbacks advanced to the championship game of the conference tournament, another first for the soccer program.

In her first year, Bynum posted eight points on three goals and two assists and was the only freshman to play in all 21 games. A spark of energy off the bench, the Sicklerville, N.J., native notched two goals in a road contest against Memphis.

Her value to the Razorbacks was highlighted in 1998 when she was named the team’s most valuable player and recipient of the Coaches’ Award. Bynum had a career-high five assists and found the back of the net twice, including a game-winning goal against Auburn.

Voted a co-captain for the 1999 season, Bynum continued to display her ability to set up her teammates to score. She equaled her career-high with five assists in leading Arkansas to its third SEC Tournament berth in four seasons.

Bynum continues to be a trailblazer in her post-collegiate activities. In 2006, she teamed with two former Division I student-athletes, Cyndy Wilks (Virginia Commonwealth, basketball) and Cherrise Graham (Purdue and Virginia, basketball), to form the only all-female squad of 70 teams at the BK Kings of Court 3-on-3 Tournament.