MT’s Bendeck Earns NCAA Today’s Top 10 Award
12/17/2019 4:05:00 PM | Men's Tennis
Former Bear earns highest award given by organization after decorated collegiate career
INDIANAPOLIS – After a decorated athletic and academic career, former Baylor men's tennis player Jimmy Bendeck earned the NCAA Today's Top 10 Award, announced by the collegiate organization Tuesday afternoon.
The Top 10 award is the most prestigious honor given by the NCAA and was awarded to only 10 student-athletes across Division I, II and III and every championship sport.
"Thank you to the NCAA for considering me for the Top 10 award," Bendeck said. "I am grateful to be considered alongside such incredible student-athletes. I'm thankful for the coaches, administrators, teammates and family who have given me the endless support to be the best I can be. Baylor is a special place with special people. It's an honor to be able to represent by university through such a prestigious award."
Bendeck recently wrapped up his four-year career with the Bears in 2019, helping the Bears win the Big 12 tournament championship and advancing to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Bendeck and the Bears ended the season in the NCAA quarterfinals a season ago. He earned ITA Doubles All-America honors after teaming up with Sven Lah as the first No. 1 doubles team in school history.
In addition to being the President of the Baylor Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), he is a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-American, NCAA Elite 90 Award winner, the Big 12's Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award recipient and eight-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.
Bendeck is currently playing on the ITF pro tennis tour and won his first doubles title in Cancun last August.
"Jimmy led our program this past year to a Big 12 championship and top-eight finish at the NCAA Championships while at the same time excelling in the classroom," Director of Tennis and Head Men's Tennis Coach Brian Boland said. "Jimmy was a leader in the community, the athletic department as well as within our team. We look forward to watching Jimmy use the experiences at Baylor University to have a positive impact."
The award recognizes former student-athletes for their successes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipients — who completed their athletics eligibility during the 2018-19 academic year — will be recognized at the Honors Celebration on Jan. 22 during the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
Before 2013, the award recognized eight student-athletes and was known as Today's Top VIII. The NCAA Honors Committee expanded the award to include 10 honorees to recognize the growing number of college athletes, sports and championship opportunities.
Boland and the Bears open the 2020 spring season with a doubleheader against Boise State and UT Arlington on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. The matches are slated for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. starts, respectively.
Fans can follow the action all season long with the team's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorMTennis.
The Top 10 award is the most prestigious honor given by the NCAA and was awarded to only 10 student-athletes across Division I, II and III and every championship sport.
"Thank you to the NCAA for considering me for the Top 10 award," Bendeck said. "I am grateful to be considered alongside such incredible student-athletes. I'm thankful for the coaches, administrators, teammates and family who have given me the endless support to be the best I can be. Baylor is a special place with special people. It's an honor to be able to represent by university through such a prestigious award."
Bendeck recently wrapped up his four-year career with the Bears in 2019, helping the Bears win the Big 12 tournament championship and advancing to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Bendeck and the Bears ended the season in the NCAA quarterfinals a season ago. He earned ITA Doubles All-America honors after teaming up with Sven Lah as the first No. 1 doubles team in school history.
In addition to being the President of the Baylor Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), he is a three-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, CoSIDA Academic All-American, NCAA Elite 90 Award winner, the Big 12's Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award recipient and eight-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.
Bendeck is currently playing on the ITF pro tennis tour and won his first doubles title in Cancun last August.
"Jimmy led our program this past year to a Big 12 championship and top-eight finish at the NCAA Championships while at the same time excelling in the classroom," Director of Tennis and Head Men's Tennis Coach Brian Boland said. "Jimmy was a leader in the community, the athletic department as well as within our team. We look forward to watching Jimmy use the experiences at Baylor University to have a positive impact."
The award recognizes former student-athletes for their successes on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipients — who completed their athletics eligibility during the 2018-19 academic year — will be recognized at the Honors Celebration on Jan. 22 during the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, Calif.
Before 2013, the award recognized eight student-athletes and was known as Today's Top VIII. The NCAA Honors Committee expanded the award to include 10 honorees to recognize the growing number of college athletes, sports and championship opportunities.
Boland and the Bears open the 2020 spring season with a doubleheader against Boise State and UT Arlington on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center. The matches are slated for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. starts, respectively.
Fans can follow the action all season long with the team's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorMTennis.
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