Dec. 13, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

2008 CBF Wallace Watch List

University of Memphis senior centerfielder K.K. Chalmers was named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Watch List, as announced by the College Baseball Foundation. Chalmers is the second Tiger in as many seasons to earn recognition as one the CBF's Preseason Player of the Year nominees. Adam Amar was listed on the 2007 Wallace Watch List.

Chalmers, who is one of seven Conference USA student-athletes to make the list, added to an already solid career last year by claiming Memphis baseball's all-time stolen base record. He holds the mark with 89 steals after tying the single-season record (with 39) in 2006 and swiping 33 more last year. He is the only Tiger baseball player to ever steal 30 bags in consecutive seasons. In addition to his speed on the base paths, the 5-7 Chalmers showed power numbers at the plate, banging out 15 doubles and seven homers. He accounted for 96 runs (58 scored, 38 RBI) in the Tigers' NCAA Tournament season.

Chalmers will look to continue to make his mark on the program this year and he eyes the games played, triples, hits and walks records.

The Wallace Award is presented to the nation's top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame's annual induction festivities. The 2008 award banquet will be held Thursday, July 3, in the United Spirit Arena on the campus of Texas Tech University.

Last year's Brooks Wallace award went to Vanderbilt pitcher, David Price. Price was the first overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft and is currently pitching in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The 2006 winner was standout pitcher/designated hitter Brad Lincoln of Houston. Nebraska's Alex Gordon, now with the Kansas City Royals, took home the 2005 trophy. The inaugural award was given in 2004 to Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton, who is now catching for the Oakland A's.

The Wallace Award is a dedication to the memory of the former Texas Tech player and assistant coach Brooks Wallace. Wallace was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. A four-year starter, he was named All-Southwest Conference and All-District his senior year. He led the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the Southwest Conference Tournament in 1980. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984, he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27. The Plano, TX, native was married to the former Sandy Arnold and they had one daughter, Lindsay Ryan.