Meier Earns Place on Division I-AAA ADA Scholar-Athlete Team

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Milwaukee forward Tony Meierhas been named a Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete.

The junior, who has a 3.638 grade-point average as a business major, is one of just 11 men's players from across the nation named to the team.

"In athletics we use the term `student-athlete' and he embodies that term. He is definitely a student-athlete," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "He has taken advantage of his opportunities in the classroom and on the court, and that is special.

"Tony really puts in his time and works to be the best at everything, so it is good to see him be recognized and rewarded for all of the hard work he is putting in. People have started to notice he is a really good basketball player and now he is being noticed for the success he is having off the court."

Meier was a standout for the Horizon League regular season co-champion Panthers this season, helping Milwaukee to its second-ever National Invitation Tournament berth.

"This is a tremendous honor for Tony," UWM Director of Athletics Rick Costello said. "He played such a big role in a memorable basketball season on the court while committing himself to excellence in the classroom. I know our fans were very excited by the performance of our basketball team and an honor like this gives everyone another reason to be extremely proud. Like so many other Panthers, Tony is a great example of being a student first and an athlete second and he should be congratulated for all of his accomplishments."

Meier was the Panthers' third-leading scorer (12.0 points per game) and rebounder (4.3 boards per game) this season. He was named league player of the week after the final weekend of the regular season as Milwaukee clinched the league crown. He was also named the UWM/ROTC Athlete of the Month in December.

Overall, Meier had 20 double-figure scoring outings and five 20-plus-point scoring efforts while collecting seven or more rebounds seven times. Meier also shot a solid 49.4 percent from the field overall, including 43 percent from three-point range.

Thanks to his work in the classroom, Meier has earned spots on the Horizon League Honor Roll, UWM Honor Roll and UWM Dean's List. He also earned the Faculty Athletic Representatives Award for having the highest grade-point average on the team last season, an honor he is likely to repeat when this year's awards are announced in May.

Meier has also been extremely active with volunteer and community service projects on and off campus, including the Summerfest Clinic For Kids, the Fall Residence Hall Move-In, Boys & Girls Club Practice Day, at the Cedarburg Youth Basketball Clinic and as a Panther Fest volunteer.

Meier is the second UWM player to earn Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete recognition, with Adrian Tigert having claimed the same honors in 2006.

Basketball players from all Division I-AAA ADA member institutions are eligible for these awards. Each of the nominees was required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) and have been a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletics credentials. Candidates must have reached sophomore athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. The nominees must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.

(Release courtesy UWMPanthers.com)