May 30, 2007

HOUSTON - After an impressive season both on the field and in the classroom, University of Houston senior first baseman Josh Stirneman was named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second Team on Tuesday as named by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

The Cuero native finished second on the team in all three Triple Crown categories, posting a .323 batting average, seven home runs and 40 RBIs. Although the Cougar team recently finished its season at the Conference USA Tournament, Stirneman capped his career in fine fashion, hitting safely in each of his final 13 games, a career best.

In the classroom, he recorded a 3.85 cumulative grade point average while majoring in business and is scheduled to receive his bachelor's degree during graduation ceremonies in December.

Earlier this year, Stirneman was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI First Team and joined sophomore outfielder Jimmy Cesario on the first C-USA All-Academic Team.

He is the only player in Cougar Baseball history to receive the C-USA Academic Medal for a GPA of 3.75 or better twice during his career and was named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll for the second straight season.

Stirneman also became the first Cougar Baseball player since first baseman Greyson Liles in 1992 to be named to an Academic All-America Team.