Dec. 5, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University junior designated hitter Mike Stephan (Patchogue, N.Y.) has been named to College Baseball Foundation's annual Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, the organization announced on Thursday. The Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

A second team All-America East selection last season, Stephan started 59 of the Seawolves 60 games and finished the season ranked 12th in the nation in on-base percentage (.518) and second in the country in hit by pitch (30). He also led the team with 11 home runs and ranked second on the squad with 37 RBI and 49 runs scored.

The Wallace Award is dedicated to the memory of former Texas Tech player and assistant coach Brooks Wallace. Wallace was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984, he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27.