Preston Clark

Drew Bishop and Preston Clark, a pair of Rockwall High School alums, are standout performers in a sport that recognizes ERA, OBP, RBI, RISP, SB, PO and K.

Now, there is one more acronym that fits them both: MSAOTM. That's Male Student-Athlete of the Month. Bishop and Clark have been accorded that honor for April.

"I am always glad to tell people about Drew and the many gifts he has brought to Texas," said Dr. Randa Ryan, senior associate athletics director for student services. "Many fans know him through his baseball journal on TexasSports.com where he often gives a 'shout out' to all of the people who help and support the baseball team."

"And, Preston," she continued, "is a true leader and a true student-athlete who represents Texas with great pride and true devotion to his team."

Drew Bishop

Bishop, a right-handed pitcher whose father, Randy, played football for UT, has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester he has been at Texas. He also was selected as the recipient of the Longhorn Academic Spirit Award in 2006 and 2007. Last year, he was chosen the UT teammate of the year.

The kinesiology and sport management major was a Hurricane Katrina Efforts Volunteer in 2005 and became president of the Student-Athletes' Advisory Council last fall upon the graduation of Drew Kelson.

Bishop serves as an academic mentor, helping new student-athletes transition well academically at Texas. He had a 3.74 GPA.

"Our academic counselor Randa Ryan called to tell me that I had been selected as Male Student-Athlete of the Month when we were at the airport getting ready to go to Lubbock for the series with Texas Tech," Bishop said. "And there wasn't a better person to break the news to me because she means so much to our team and our athletics department. She also means so much to me personally.

"I was surprised at first when she told me because there are so many hard-working student-athletes at UT. It's really an honor because many of us work really hard in the classroom and it is rewarding to see it doesn't go unnoticed."

During his matriculation at Texas, Bishop has made a point to be involved in all types of activities of campus life. He believes that has helped him meet new people and have a wide variety of friends and supporters.

He also has applied techniques that have helped him on the mound to the classroom.

"Paying attention to details and setting long-term goals helps me both on the field and in class," Bishop said. "Doing those things helps me stay focused in the short term, as well as seeing the big picture. I know never to get too high or too low based on a single experience."

Clark, a two-year starter at catcher, has spent two semesters on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

In 2006, the applied learning and development/youth and community studies major received the Student Services Most Improved Award. Like Bishop, Clark also participated as a Hurricane Katrina Efforts Volunteer in 2005.

"I have worked with many, many student-athletes through the years and Preston is by far one of the friendliest and kindest," Ryan said. "I think he knows everyone on campus in Austin -- maybe even in Texas!

"I will always remember how young Preston was when he came to Texas. It has been one of my great pleasures to watch his growth as a student and as a leader."