To appreciate the impact senior swimmer Matthew McGinnis has had in his time at The University of Texas, all you have to do is peer at his bio in the 2008 Texas Men's Swimming and Diving media guide.

In three years, the North Carolina native has done enough for the Longhorns that his resume reaches beyond the halfway mark of a second page.

Leroy Sutherland of the student-athlete services office, for one, isn't the least bit surprised at the lengthly list of accomplishments, which have increased by one with McGinnis being named Male Student-Athlete of the Month for January.

"Matt represents the ultimate student-athlete," Sutherland said of the radio-television-film major. "He has a 3.5 grade point average. His work ethic has few equals."

McGinnis indicated that examples set by other UT student-athletes have played a part in his success.

"I feel that I have learned from them," he said. "And this recognition is a testament to the talented teammates I have been surrounded by. I'm very glad to see hard work pay off."

McGinnis is a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and also first-team Academic All-Big 12 (in 2005-06).

In the pool, McGinnis is an eight-time All-America. He also has been an honorable mention All-America five times. "I try to treat academics and athletics the same way," McGinnis said. "That is, I assume the end result will parallel the amount of work put in to achieve it."

McGinnis is an eight-time Big 12 champion, as well as being recognized as the Big 12 Championship Newcomer of the Year in 2005. He also was on the USA's freestyle relay team in the 2007 World University Games and was a member of the 2005 U.S. World Championship Team.

And he shares his thoughts on TexasSports.com in "Freestyling with Matt McGinnis." He talks about the team and its personalities, as well as discussing his expectations for the team as 2008 begins.

"Matt's calm demeanor and persona indicates a confidence that is truly revealed in his academic and athletic performance," Sutherland said.