While he likely never was seen in his native Vienna flashing a "Hook 'em, Horns" sign, Bernhard Deussner has caught up in his last three-plus years as a member of The University of Texas men's tennis team.

"Texas has the best combination of athletics and academics," he said of his choice to come to Austin.

And, his selection as Student-Athlete of the Month for February shows that he is an example of the excellence in athletics and academics at UT.

"Randa Ryan told me that I was the student-athlete of the month," Deussner recalled. "Then, later in the afternoon Coach Center congratulated me for being named the student-athlete of the month. It was a great surprise because I didn't expect the reward.

"Being named student-athlete of the month at a university with so many great student-athletes means a lot to me. To be picked out of several hundred extraordinary student-athletes at the greatest university in the U.S. is very special. This reward validates my success as a student-athlete and motivates me to finish my career at UT with the right attitude.

"The honor also gives me gratification that I have made the right decisions since I began my college career."

Deussner, a senior finance major, is a seven-time honoree on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. He also was named first-team Academic All-Big 12 Conference last year. He is in the McCombs School of Business.

"Having the recognition on the court and in the classroom means a great deal to me," he said. "It's great to be known as a good student and a good athlete."

Bernie, as he is called by his teammates, had a spotless record in doubles during the 2006 season and owned winning marks in both singles and doubles a year ago.

He noted that his regimen for tennis also works in the classroom.

"The drive to succeed and the willingness to work hard impacts both," he explained. "You've got to manage your time well because of the demands of schoolwork and tennis.

"In the end, I will be rewarded for all of the hard work I put in during my college career, earning a degree in finance and enjoying a team experience that I will never forget."