ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY

ATHLETICS 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2008
 

TRACEY STIGER NAMED TECH MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech has named receiver Tracey Stiger (Russellville, Ark.) as this week's male athlete of the week.

Stiger, who is a member of the Wonder Boys Football team and a former Russellville Cyclone, earns this week's honor after having a strong junior campaign in 2007 for the Wonder Boys that earned the 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior a Second-Team All-GSC honor and a Preseason All-GSC accolade by the league's coaches this season. Stiger finished last season with 61 catches for a team-high 656 yards (10.8 yards/catch) and scored 10 touchdowns. In addition to the 656 yards receiving, Stiger gained 1,441 al-purpose yards (144.1 yards/game) as he returned 25 kicks for 615 yards (24.6 yards/return) and returned 13 punts for 155 yards (11.9 yards/return). Along with scoring 10 touchdowns on passes, Stiger, who was recently named one of the three team captains on offense for this coming season, also returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in Tech's season finale last season against Harding.

He enters his season with the Wonder Boys just 45 receptions shy of the school record for career receptions and is 1,302 receiving yards shy of the school's career receiving yard mark. Both of those marks are held by Rick Thone (1968-71), who caught 141 career passes for 2,330 yards. Stiger also enters the season as the school's record holder in kickoff return yards (1,714 yards), is tied for the school record in career kick returns (79) and is nearing the school record for all-purpose yards as he has gained 3,521 career all-purpose yards. 

Stiger and his Wonder Boy teammates are set to open the 2008 season at home on Thursday, Aug. 28 against Northeastern State. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. in Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

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?
Tracey Stiger: I chose to attend Tech because it was home and the campus was very nice and not too big, but not too small. Also, the Russellville community, I felt I owed them a championship.

Outside of athletics, what is your favorite thing about college life?
TS: I like to meet new people and go to parties.

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

What do you consider your hobby?
TS: I like to play poker, PS3 or X-Box.

What sport other than football do you like to watch or would you like to play the most?
TS: I would play baseball, basketball and soccer.

Who is one person that has had the biggest impact on your life?
TS: I would have to say God, my brother and my parents.

What is your most memorable moment as a Tech athlete?
TS: When we were one game away from winning the GSC Championship my freshman year.

What would you do on your dream vacation?
TS: I would relax and chill with a special someone.

What is your major at Tech?
TS: I am a speech communications major.

What do you plan to do after graduation?
TS: I plan to first continue my dream to play football and then get a good paying job.

Do you have a pet?
TS: I have a Shih Tzu that is named Shorty.

How many times a day do you find yourself checking facebook?
TS: I find myself living on Facebook sometimes, but I'm usually on there about four times a day.

What's the most rewarding class you have had while being at Tech?
TS: I find all of them rewarding because I am getting a college degree.

What are your goals for this season?
TS: I want to be a great leader and win a championship.

       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)