Men’s Tennis Named 2008 All-Academic Team

Tampa - The University of South Florida men’s tennis team has a strong tradition of on-court success. However, the Bulls successes in the classroom are just as impressive. The team was honored as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Team by the ITA Tennis. In addition, Senior Mahmoud Hamed, juniors William Sousa and Diego Toledo and Sophomore Michael Nuesslein were named 2008 ITA Scholar-Athletes.

“I am very proud of our men. It is very tough, I know, to accomplish what they have with the schedules that they play and still be at the top academically,” said men’s head coach Don Barr. “It is a tremendous compliment to our team.”

Hamed, who came to USF from Cairo, Egypt, compiled a 15-15 record while playing the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. He was also the recipient of the 2007-08 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sports Excellence Award, which recognizes academic and athletic achievement as well as community service.

Toledo, a native of Brazil, played a pivotal role for the Bulls playing everywhere from the No. 6 spot all the way up to the No. 3 position where he was 3-0 on the season. Toledo was one of two Bulls to earn victories in the NCAA Championships.

Nuesslein, a native of Germany, is coming off an impressive freshman season as he compiled a 15-4 record which included an undefeated 3-0 mark in the BIG EAST Championships and finished the year on a five-match win streak which included his first ever victory in the NCAA Championships.

With all of his players returning, Coach Barr and the Bulls will look for big things in this season. They will open the season at the UF Invitational on Sept. 12.

The ITA All-Academic Team award is given to any ITA program that has a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). All eligible student-athletes whose names appear on the NCAA/ eligibility form and have competed in one or more varsity matches must average into the GPA for the current academic year (including fall 2007 and spring 2008).

In order to earn ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must meet the following criteria: 1.) be a varsity letter winner, 2.) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year, and 3.) have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters (including freshman thorough senior year).