ANDY BRYAN WINS MIAC ARTHUR ASHE AWARD

Senior Andy Bryan, Gustavus tennis team co-captain from Edina, MN won the coveted Arthur Ashe Award.  The honor goes to one male MIAC tennis player who best exemplifies outstanding tennis, good sportsmanship, high academics, and humanitarian concerns.  Andy's award was announced in conjunction with the MIAC conference playoffs, which are being held at Gustavus on April 25 and 26. 

Andy is ranked #2 in the nation in singles and #4 in doubles with partner Charlie Paukert. Last fall Andy finished second in the national ITA Division III tournament and fourth in the doubles.  This season he has compiled a 25-4 record in singles and a 23-5 record in doubles. 

At the 2007 ITA national small college tournament Andy received the James O'Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Award, given to the best sportsman in the championship.  The top players from Division II, III, NAIA, and junior colleges were all represented.

Bryant is graduating with a 3.89 grade point average and will be attending the U. of Minnesota Medical School in the fall.  While at Gustavus Andy has been a leader of the Gustavus Ambassadors, a select group of students who represent the College at important formal occasions. Also he has volunteered for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life", the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, the Gustie Buddy Volunteers who work with handicapped children, the St. Peter Community Center/Library, the ITA community service tennis lessons, and the Operation Smile charity group.

Andy joins an impressive list of Gustavus players who have won the MIAC Arthur Ashe Award in previous years.  They include Rich Skanse (1983), Mark Kruger (1986), Ulf Gudjonsson (1988), Paul Gustafson (1992), Andy Schmidt (1997), Tommy Valentini (2001), and Daryn Collins (2002).