Heinser Named West Coast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year

June 11, 2010

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(San Bruno, Calif.) - Jennifer-Lee Heinser, of the USF women's tennis team, has been named the West Coast Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as announced by WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich Friday. Heinser is the fifth USF women's student-athlete to earn the award and is the first female tennis player to earn the distinction. Thomas Betterbed, of Portland, was named the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

"The mission of the WCC's member institutions is to develop student-athletes holistically with opprotunites to grow as leaders though athletics, academics, and community service," said Zaninovich. "Thomas and Jennifer embody the ideals of our member schools and are very deserving recipients of the distinguished award."

The highest honor in the WCC is selected by a vote of the WCC's Executive Council to recognize the finest accomplishments in athletics, academics and community service by individuals who have completed their WCC eligibility.

Heinser wrapped up her career on the Hilltop as one of the greatest players in WCC women's tennis history. Heinser was a three-time WCC Player of the Year, earning the distinction in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She is just the second women's tennis player to earn three Player of the Year Awards. The three-time All-WCC first team honoree went undefeated during conference play during her three-year career. Heinser was named USF's MVP three times and participated in the NCAA Singles Tournament all three years.

While at San Francisco, Heinser epitomized the term student-athlete, earning a degree in Business Administration with 3.89 GPA. Upon graduation, Heinser earned the USF Dean's Medal, awarded to a student who has best exemplified, through his or her academic accomplishments, extracurricular work, and personal life, the values of the University of San Francisco and its missions and goals. In addition to her athletic and academic responsibilities, Heinser has also been very active in the community, participating in Kids Day events in Golden Gate park, volunteering at Glide Memorial Church Shelter, and participating in multiple Bay Area Breast Cancer Awareness tennis events.

Prior to Heinser, four former USF female student-athletes had garnered the award and the first since Brittany Lindhe of women's basketball won the honor in 1999. In addition, Valerie Gillon (1996) and Debbie Dunbar (1987) of women's basketball and Mary Carlson (1988) of volleyball have been awarded the distinction. On the men's side, the Dons have landed five Male Student-Athlete of the Year awards - Tavo Hall, baseball (2008); Joe DeBortoli, basketball (1990), John Bustos, soccer (1986), Al Smoot, baseball (1981) and Rodney Lee, men's tennis (1979).

Jennifer-Lee Heinser FILE



Athletic Accomplishments (Indicate Years)

• Three-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year (2008-10) - first in program history
• Three-time NCAA Championship Singles Participant (2008-09-10)
              - first NCAA participant in program history

• West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year (2008) - first in program history
• Three-time All-West Coast Conference First Team
• Singles (2008-10) - first in program history
• Two-time All-West Coast Conference Second Team
• Doubles (2009-10)
• Four-time West Coast Conference Player of the Month (2008-10)
• Second in USF Career Singles Victories - in just three seasons (50)
• USF Career Singles Record: 50-6 (.893)
• USF Career Doubles Record: 34-24 (.586)
• Singles/Doubles
        - 2010: 17-2/14-7
        - 2009: 16-3/11-8
        - 2008: 17-1/9-9
• USF Career Leader in Doubles Victories (34)
• First USF Student-Athlete to earn three WCC Player of the Year accolades since Bill Cartwright (1977-79)
• First USF Female Student-Athlete to earn multiple WCC Player of the Year honors

Academic Accomplishments (Indicate Years)

• USF Dean's Medal (2010)
       - Awarded to a student who has best exemplified, through his or her academic accomplishments, extracurricular work, and personal life, the values of the University of San Francisco and its Missions and Goals
• CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic Team (2009)
• Three-time WCC All-Academic Team (2008-09)
• USF Business Honors Program (2008-10)
• Three-time WCC Commissioner's Honor Roll
• USF Athletics Department Awards (Indicate Years)
• Female Student-Athlete of the Year (2009-10)
• Four-time USF Student-Athlete of the Month
• USF Women's Tennis Team Awards (Indicate Years)
• Three-time USF team MVP (2008-10)

Campus Involvement

• Peer Tutor (2009)

Community Involvement


Volunteer

• Glide Memorial Church Shelter (2009)
• San Francisco Parks & Recreation (2008-10)
• Multiple Bay Area Breast Cancer Awareness Tennis Events (2007-10)
• Kids Day at Golden Gate Park (2008-10)
• Free to Play (2007-2009)
• Title IX Today, Title IX Tomorrow Youth Clinic (2007)