NEGRE FERNANDEZ NAMED C-USA SPIRIT OF SERVICE HONOREE

@MTAthletics

IRVING, Texas - Middle Tennessee men's tennis sophomore Miguel Negre Fernandez has been named one of 14 Conference USA Spring Spirit of Service award honorees, C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced today.

The C-USA Spirit of Service award recognizes the league's student-athletes that engage in significant community service projects, have good academic standing and perform well in their sport. The award is given out three times throughout the year, with today's award recipients representing spring sports: baseball, golf, women's rowing, softball, tennis and outdoor track and field.

Negre earned the Spirit of Service award for the Blue Raiders after a great season on the court, in the classroom and in the community.

After moving from No. 8 in the singles lineup his freshman year to No. 3 this season, Negre won 17 matches in the spring season, tying him for second on the team. He paired with Gian Issa to go 12-8 in doubles, with all 12 wins coming at the No. 2 doubles spot. Negre was voted "Most Improved" after his sophomore campaign.

A current member of the Dean's List, Negre earned C-USA Honor Roll and Academic Medal honors with a 3.846 GPA in mechatronics engineering.

Negre helped men's tennis win the Director's Cup at the 2016 Raiders Choice Awards for most community service hours. He also taught children with Down syndrome tennis as part of the Buddy Up Tennis Program and visited local elementary schools to read to students and share with them the culture of his native country, Spain.

Negre joins Tommy Bennett from Rice as the only two men's tennis players named a Spirit of Service honoree.

2015-16 SPRING C-USA SPIRIT OF SERVICE HONOREES:
Haley Pace, Charlotte, Softball
Marcus Ghent, FIU, Men's Track & Field
Carnesha Thompson, Florida Atlantic, Softball
Natalie Moran, Louisiana Tech, Softball
Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Softball
Miguel Negre Fernandez, Middle Tennessee, Men's Tennis
Kelli Schkade, North Texas, Softball
Colleen Rennie, Old Dominion, Women's Rowing
Tommy Bennett, Rice, Men's Tennis
Danielle Block, Southern Miss, Softball
Joanna "JoJo" Fallen, UAB, Softball
Kawehiokalani Netane, UTEP, Softball
Nikki Long, UTSA, Women's Golf
Ellinor Haag, WKU, Women's Golf