June 10, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Junior men's tennis player Benedikt Fischer was named to the Co-SIDA Academic All-America Men's At-Large second team it was announced by the organization Tuesday morning. Fischer becomes the first-ever Tiger tennis player to be named an Academic All-American and the 16th student-athlete in Memphis history to earn an Academic All-American award.

He is also the fourth Tiger to be named a Co-SIDA Academic All-American this season, joining men's soccer player Jared Britcher (third team), women's soccer player Kate Murphy (first team) and football player Brandon Patterson. To earn Academic All-American honors, student-athletes must first be voted to their respective district's first team in order to appear on the national ballot. Memphis is included in Co-SIDA District IV, which includes schools in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Fischer is a two-time honoree on the Conference USA All-Academic team and has gone his entire athletic career never getting less than an A in his college coursework. He graduated in May with a degree in International Business in just two years at Memphis and will work on his MBA during his final season of college eligibility this upcoming season.

On the court, Fischer finished with a 14-8 overall record in singles play, including a 10-6 mark at No. 6 singles and a 2-0 mark at No. 5. Fischer was also 11-4 in doubles play this season, including a 7-3 mark at No. 3 doubles with three different partners during dual season play. Fischer is a two-year letterwinner at Memphis after transferring from Tyler Junior College in Texas, where he played one season.

A Dean's List member in each of his four semesters are Memphis, Fischer has also earned the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal and has been named to the Conference USA Academic Honor Roll in each of his previous two seasons.

He was one of three Conference USA honorees on the Co-SIDA list as East Carolina's Geoff Handsfield earned first team honors, while Tulsa's Arnau Brugues was a third team honoree.

Fischer will be the lone senior on next season's squad, which will include two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen.

University of Memphis All-Time Co-SIDA Academic All-Americans

1992	Football		Gary Bouldin 			TE		Second
1992	Football		Pat Jansen			DL		First
1997	Women's Basketball	Heather Newlon			C		Third
1999	Men's At-Large		Matt Briggs			Soccer	       Third
2000	Volleyball		April Harriman			OH		Second
2003	Men's Soccer		Andy Metcalf			Forward		Third
2003	Volleyball		Heather Watts			Setter		Third
2004	Volleyball		Heather Watts			Setter		Second
2005	Men's Soccer		Andy Metcalf			Forward		Third
2005	Men's Soccer		Jared Britcher			Midfielder	Third
2005	Women's Track		Lisa-Marie Hyman		Track		Third
2006	Women's Soccer	        Shoko Mikami			Forward		Second
2007	Men's Soccer		Jared Britcher			Forward		Third
2007	Women's Soccer	        Kate Murphy			Defender	First
2007	Football		Brandon Patterson		Safety			Second
2007	Men's At-Large		Benedikt Fischer		Tennis		Second