July 31, 2007

WACO, Texas - The Baylor Athletics Media Relations office received five citations for publications excellence during the 2006-07 academic year from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The awards were presented during the organization's 50th annual workshop, which concluded July 3 in San Diego. Baylor's men's tennis media guide placed fourth in the national contest.

Baylor's five national publication awards tied for 21st nationally among all institutions, regardless of division, and ranked sixth in the Big 12 Conference behind Nebraska (a nation-leading 18 awards), Oklahoma (15), Kansas State (10), Texas A&M (eight) and Kansas (six). Over the past three years, the Baylor staff has earned 24 CoSIDA citations for publications excellence.

"I continue to be impressed with the quality of work produced by our media relations staff," said Nick Joos, Baylor's associate athletic director for communications. "Our media relations team takes great pride in promoting Baylor Athletics and these awards are a testament to their hard work and dedication behind the scenes in support of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and university."

Men's tennis media relations contact Julie Bennett wrote and designed the media guide, which placed fourth out of 29 entries. In addition, Bennett's women's basketball media guide took home top honors in District VI for the second straight year and placed ninth out of 75 entries nationally.

Baylor men's tennis, for the fifth straight season, finished the season ranked among the nation's top four team. The Bears completed their 2007 campaign with a 28-4 mark and were ranked No. 4 in the FILA/Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) final national rankings.

Baylor, the most successful men's tennis team over the past five seasons, has been ranked no lower than No. 4 in the final poll during that span. The Bears were ranked No. 1 after winning the 2004 NCAA Championship, No. 2 in the final poll in 2005 and No. 4 in 2003 and '06.

In the past four years, Baylor is the only men's team to advance to the NCAA semifinals all four years. During that span, the Bears have posted a 118-14 (.894) mark and in the past six years head coach Matt Knoll's teams have posted an impressive 173-17 (.906) record.

Here is a complete list of CoSIDA publication awards won by the Baylor Athletic Media Relations staff in 2006-07:

National Awards (Three):
Best in the Nation - Baseball Game-Day Program
Second in the Nation - Baseball Media Guide
Fourth in the Nation - Men's Tennis Media Guide

District Awards (Two):
Best in the District - Baseball Media Guide, Women's Basketball Media Guide