ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY

ATHLETICS 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2008
 

TARIO DANSBY NAMED TECH MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech has named sophomore defensive back Tario Dansby (Ashdown, Ark.) as this week's male student-athlete of the week.

Dansby, who is a member of the Wonder Boys Football team, earns this week's honor after recording 10 total tackles, including seven unassisted stops in the Wonder Boys 22-3 season opening win last Thursday over Northeastern State. In addition to the 10 tackles, Dansby, who was named the Defensive MVP by the Tech coaches from the NSU game, also had three tackles for a loss, forced a fumble and picked off a pass that was returned 16 yards.

In his first season as a Wonder Boy in 2007, Dansby finished the season with 53 total tackles, including 34 solo stops. In addition, he had 4.0 tackles for nine yards in losses, picked off three passes, which were returned for 114 yards and broke up two passes. Dansby also forced one fumble and recovered one fumble on the season. In Tech's 27-20 loss to North Alabama, Dansby returned an interception 98 yards for the game's first score. The 98-yard interception return was the second-longest in school history. 

Dansby and his Wonder Boy teammates will continue the 2008 season on Thursday, Sept. 4, when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to face Central Missouri in a 7 p.m. contest.

The following is a question and answer segment to help get to know this successful Tech student-athlete:

Why did you ultimately choose to come to Tech?
Tario Dansby: I chose to attend Tech because of the location and prestige of being one of the top schools in the state.

Outside of athletics, what is your favorite thing about college life?
TD: Having the chance to meet and communicate with different types of people.

What is your favorite type of music/group?
TD: I like rap and R & B music.

What do you consider your hobby?
TD: Football is my hobby. I'm usually playing some type of video game, mostly football games.

What sport other than football do you like to watch or would you like to play the most?
TD: I'm a sports fan, I like all sports, especially the ones that I haven't played.

Who is one person that has had the biggest impact on your life?
TD: I would have to say my family as a whole because I have learned different life lessons from and everyone of them.

What is your most memorable moment as a Tech athlete?
TD: When I took an interception 98 yards against North Alabama last season for a touchdown and my first game as a Wonder Boy at Northwest Missouri State.

What would you do on your dream vacation?
TD: Be alone on a huge beach.

What is your major at Tech?
TD: I'm a speech communications major.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
TD: I would like to become a graduate assistant, get my masters degree and become a defensive coordinator.

Do you have a pet?
TD: I don't have any pets.

How many times a day do you find yourself checking facebook?
TD: About three times a week.

What's the most rewarding class you have had while being at Tech?
TD: All of my communications classes because I've learned a lot about myself and other people.

What are your goals for this season?
TD: I would like for our team to win a conference championship and make the national playoffs. In addition, I would like to do the same thing the next year as well.

Tech Male Student-Athlete of the Week Winners (2008-09)

August 24 - senior Tracey Stiger (football)
 

      Previous Tech Male Student-Athlete of the Week Winners (2007-08)

May 5 - junior Jarred Carlyle (golf)
 April 21 - junior B.J. Hawkins (golf)
April 14 - freshman outfielder Austin Gwatney (baseball)
April 7 - senior quarterback Cole Barthel (football)
March 24 - senior pitcher Zach Weiss (baseball)
March 4 - junior forward Troy Marcus (basketball)
Feb. 20 - junior third baseman Tony Sanchez (baseball)
Feb. 20 - junior third baseman Tony Sanchez (baseball)