May 18, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, PA - University of Dayton tennis standout Rob Altenau was named a recipient of an Atlantic 10 postgraduate scholarship, conference commissioner Linda Bruno announced today. Altenau is a two-time Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year in men's tennis and was named First Team All-Conference for the second time in 2005 for his performance on the court.

The senior from North Bend, OH, posted a 14-14 singles record and 15-11 doubles mark on the season. At the Atlantic 10 Championship, Altenau helped the Flyers to a second-place finish - their best ever at the A-10 Championship. The biology major is a member of Dayton's Honors Program/Presidential Scholarship and the Golden Key International Honor Society. He is a UD Berry Scholar and the recipient of the 2005 Brother Vincent Wottle Award for service to campus ministry. He also earned the John J. Comer Ecological Undergraduate Research Award, presented to the biology major who best demonstrates research excellence in ecology. He was a 2004 Academic All-America and an ITA Scholar-Athlete in 2003-2004. He graduated Summa Cum Laude this month and will begin attending the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine in August.

Altenau was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team in 2002-03 after posting 18 wins in singles action.

"The Atlantic 10 is proud to be able to provide opportunities for its student-athletes to continue their educations," Bruno said. "These young women and men are perfect examples of what college athletics is all about - attaining academic and athletic excellence. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors."

The Atlantic 10 annually awards four postgraduate scholarships to student-athletes who express an interest in continuing their education. This year's recipients are Rob Altenau of Dayton, Ryan Bender and Colleen McCroskey of Duquesne, and Jenna Darcy of La Salle. This is the ninth season that a total of four recipients have been selected.

This is the second-straight year a Dayton Flyer has earned an Atlantic 10 postgraduate scholarship. Last year, UD volleyball player Erin Treadway earned the postgraduate scholarship after her All-America Honorable Mention campaign.