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Issued: March 17, 2008

MEN’S BASKETBALL HANDS OUT TEAM AWARDS

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball head coach Terry Gibbons recently announced the team award winners for the 2007-08 season.

Inside player Dan Beyer (Jr.-Waukesha/Catholic Memorial) was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. Beyer earned first team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors this season and led the Blugolds in points (19/game), rebounds (7.3/game) and field goal percentage (.606). His 19 points per game was tied for best in the WIAC, and his rebounding and field goal percentage was third in the WIAC. Beyer accumulated five double-doubles this year and in the season’s opening game went 15-for-15 from the field, which ties for the fourth most shots without a miss in NCAA basketball in any division. While Beyer was a senior this season, he will be back on the team next season as a fifth-year senior after earning a medical hardship during his sophomore season.

The Most Valuable New Player award was presented to outside player Ryan Shea (Fr.-Duluth, Minn./East). Shea started every game this season and played an average of 29.8 minutes per game. He was second on the team and 15th in the WIAC, averaging 13.6 points per game and had 54 steals, the most on the team and in the WIAC. His shooting percentage of .475 was also second on the team and his 4.7 rebounds per game average was third. Shea also led the team with 18 blocks.

The Fireman award, which is given to the player who gives a spark from the bench, went to outside player Colin Boone (So.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial). Boone started in only five games this season but played in all 27, averaging 22 minutes per game. He averaged 5.2 points per game and had .436 shooting percentage. Boone was also fifth on the team with 54 assists and 16 steals.

The Most Improved award was presented to inside player Geoff Probst (So.-Moose Lake, Minn.). Last season Probst averaged 20.5 minutes per game but this season averaged 31.5. He was third on the team, averaging 11.3 points per game, second with 5.3 rebounds per game and had the team’s best free throw percentage (.779). Probst also started every game this season, while last season he only started six.

Outside player Jacob Schlub (So-Catawba, Wis./Phillips) was presented with the Big D award. Schlub played a very important role on defense and started in 24 games this year after not starting a single game last season.

Rashann Goodwin (Jr.-Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels/Lake Region State, ND) and Mark Tiefel (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Immanuel) received the team Hustle award. Both players gave great efforts on the court and saw a fair amount of playing time throughout the season.

Zack Ryan (Sr.-Lake Elmo, Minn./Tartan) and Luke Meier (Sr.-Cross Plains, Wis./Middleton) were both honored with the team’s Inspirational award. Ryan received recognition for his efforts this season on the WIAC’s All-Sportsmanship team. While he missed four games near the end of the season due to an illness, he was able to come back strong for the final four games of his career to help make important contributions to the team. Meier saw less playing time this year than a season ago but was consistent when called upon and helped improve the team throughout the season. Both players played important roles in the team’s success this season.

- KM -

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