June 16, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Just 10 days after being drafted by the Tampa Bays Rays in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB First-Year Players Draft, the academic accolades continue to roll in for former Tiger pitcher Neil Schenk. The Memphis native was named by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky as one of 11 C-USA recipients of the Postgraduate Scholarship Awards today.

The conference annually presents the $4,000 Postgraduate Scholarship awards to graduates as selected by the Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Board of Directors. Schenk was the league's recipient for baseball.

A Spanish major, Schenk was a four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Academic Medal selection. Schenk plans to apply to medical school.

Schenk's fourth academic honor this season, he adds the Postgraduate Scholarship to a solid collection. He was tabbed an ESPN The Magazine /CoSIDA Academic All-District IV First Team selection and earned 2008 C-USA All-Academic team recognition. Schenk was also tabbed the University of Memphis Male Scholar Athlete of the 2007-08 school year.

Schenk led the Tiger pitching staff with a 3.40 ERA in a staff-high 19 appearances as the club's top relief option out of the bullpen in 2008. He fanned 42 in 39.2 innings of work and held opposing hitters to a staff-low .219 batting average.

The Briarcrest High School alum made 17 starts in 64 career appearances and wrapped up his collegiate career with seven wins. He collected 135 strikeouts in 172.1 innings and a posted a 6.59 ERA.

The following is a list of the 2008 C-USA Postgraduate Award Recipients:

2007-08 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
Geoffrey Handsfield, East Carolina, Men's Swimming
Britani Keeney, Marshall, Women's Track & Field
Neil Schenk, Memphis, Baseball
Marissa Daniels, Rice, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Andrea Kvetova, SMU, Women's Track & Field
Cornelius Duncan, Southern Miss, Men's Track & Field
Megan Weinlein, Tulane, Women's Soccer
Lindsey Tower, Tulsa, Softball
Jill Porto, UAB, Women's Soccer
Shelly Frick, UCF, Softball
Jami Tullius, UTEP, Women's Soccer