Hung Named NCAA Sportsmanship Award Recipient
9/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced Monday (Sept. 24) that Brian Hung, a four-year letterwinner (2004-07) for the University of Michigan men's tennis program and a recent graduate of the Michigan Ross School of Business, has been named the male recipient of the 2007 NCAA Sportsmanship Award. Hung, along with Framingham State College's women's soccer team (female recipient), were chosen from a group of 97 nominees from all three divisions of the NCAA.
"I am extremely honored to be given this award," said Hung. "I was thrilled to receive the Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, but it is even more meaningful to be recognized at a national level. Of all my achievements, I am especially proud of this award as I have always prided myself in displaying good sportsmanship on the court. I believe it is important to not only compete hard, but compete in a way that is fair to your opponent. At Michigan, we had a team that was hungry to win, but always showed class during our matches. As a two-time captain, I am happy that I was able to lead the team in the right way."
"I'm thrilled for Brian to have received what is truly one of the most meaningful awards in college athletics," said U-M head men's tennis coach Bruce Berque. "Brian has been a wonderful ambassador for the University of Michigan, and I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to coach him."
The NCAA Sportsmanship Award honors student-athletes who -- through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics -- have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility. Selections are made by the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct. The award was first presented in 1999 as the Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year Award, and was renamed the NCAA Sportsmanship Award in 2001.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) also took note of Hung's sportsmanlike qualities this past year, honoring him with its 2007 ITA/Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership & Sportsmanship award for the Midwest Region. The accolade went to a junior or senior player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Hung became the first Wolverine to earn the honor since its inception in 1983.
Hung was one of two Michigan student-athletes to receive the Big Ten Conference's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award for 2007, joining fellow senior Katie Erdman of the women's track and field team. Hung and Erdman, along with two representatives from each of the other 10 conference schools, were chosen from a group of 269 Big Ten student-athletes honored throughout the academic year who distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, these student-athletes must have been in good academic standing and must have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
A native of Hong Kong, Hung was also named the U-M men's tennis team's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree three out of four seasons (2005-07).
Hung finished his four-year playing career with records of 81-58 (55-36 dual-match) in singles and 90-49 (63-31 dual-match) in doubles. He had a banner year as a senior in 2006-07, teaming with Matko Maravic(Zagreb, Croatia/V. Gimnazija) for an All-America doubles campaign. The duo won 25 of 34 matches and was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation. Hung and Maravic, Michigan's first ITA All-Americans since 1994, earned a runner-up finish at the Polo Ralph Lauren All-American Championships in October before making a semifinal appearance at the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships the following month. Hung also excelled on the singles court during his final season, recording his third 20-win campaign (21-15) en route to his first career All-Big Ten selection and first career bid to the NCAA Singles Championship.
Hung performed just as strongly in the classroom during his collegiate career. He was a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete (2005-07) and Academic All-Big Ten selection (2005-07), as well as a member of the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV at-large second team (2007). The two-time team captain (2006-07) was also given the Bob Ufer Quarterback Club Senior Athlete Award (2007) and the tennis team's Leadership Award (2006).
Hung was a frequent visitor to U-Ms C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital throughout his four years at Michigan. He was also active in the Pen Pal Program, which helps underprivileged grade school students communicate with student-athletes.
Hung, the first-ever student-athlete from the Big Ten to receive the NCAA Sportsmanship Award, graduated with High Distinction from U-M's Stephen M. Ross School of Business this past April with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He currently works as an investment banking analyst with Merrill Lynch in New York City.
NCAA News Release ( www.ncaa.org )
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
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