April 27, 2001

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association released its list of the 20 finalists for the 2001 Dick Howser Trophy, given to the player of the year in collegiate baseball. Voting on the award is done by the more than 200-person membership of the NCBWA. On this list are two players from C-USA, Daniel Uggla of Memphis and Jake Gautreau of Tulane.

Uggla, a junior second baseman from Columbia, Tennessee, is currently leading C-USA in batting average (.408), slugging percentage (.868), doubles (21) home runs (tied with Gautreau at 15), and total bases (132).

Uggla also ranks third in C-USA in RBI, (53), fifth in walks, (32), second in on-base-percentage (.534), and seventh in total hits (62).

Uggla leads Memphis in almost every offensive category, and he is one double shy of the single season record, set by Tim Dulin in 1984.

Uggla has been a major reason for the Tigers' turnaround from a 15-37 season in 2000 to a 25-17 record in 2001 with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

2001 Dick Howser Trophy Semi-Finalists

Jeff Baker, 3B, Clemson
Brian Baron, OF, UCLA
Kenny Baugh, P, Rice
Dewon Brazelton, P, Middle Tennessee
Jeff Bruksch, P, Stanford
Chris Burke, SS, Tennessee
Frank Corr, OF, Stetson
Nate Fernley, P, Brigham Young
Jake Gautreau, 3B, Tulane
John-Ford Griffin, OF, Florida State
Aaron Heilman, P, Notre Dame
Dan Johnson, 1B, Nebraska
Richard Lewis, 2B, Georgia Tech
Casey Meyers, C, Arizona State
Mark Prior, P, USC
Kirk Saarloos, P, Cal State Fullerton
Kelly Shoppach, C, Baylor
Cory Sullivan, OF, Wake Forest
Daniel Uggla, 2B, Memphis
John Vanbenschoten, DH/ATH, Kent State