Tennis standout Bailey earns OVC Scholar-Athlete Award

November 7, 2012 |

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University senior men’s tennis player Sean Bailey has earned one of six prestigious Ohio Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Awards for 2011-12, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Bailey is one of six selected recipients – three men and three women – determined by a vote of OVC Faculty Athletics Representatives. Candidates must have performed athletically with distinction, earned at least a 3.25 GPA and conducted themselves in a manner which has brought credit to the student-athlete, his or her institution, intercollegiate athletics and the OVC. The award is based on academic and athletic criteria/accomplishments achieved during the 2011-12 school year.

“Sean is truly an exceptional young man,” said head coach Ross Brown. “He is a tremendous tennis player and  student-athlete, as well as a tireless worker in all areas of his life.”

Joining Bailey as an OVC Scholar-Athlete for the 2011-12 school year were Eastern Illinois’ Stephanie Arnold (volleyball), Tennessee Tech’s Kellie Cook (basketball), Eastern Kentucky’s Patrick Ford (football), UT Martin’s Leah Taylor (softball) and Murray State’s Hunter York (golf).

Since the award’s inception in 1981-82, 20 Austin Peay athletes have earned a Scholar-Athlete award from the OVC. Bailey is the 13th male to be honored, and the first since Leonardo Locatelli for the 2009-10 year.

Bailey, the 2012 OVC Men’s Tennis Player of the Year and Austin Peay’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete, continues to collect accolades from what has been a stand-out career at Austin Peay. A second-team All-OVC selection as a freshman, Bailey’s junior campaign saw him post a 19-5 singles record, including a 7-0 OVC mark. He recorded a team-best 21 victories as a sophomore and went 20-6 in doubles play.

In the classroom, Bailey has a 3.94 grade-point average with a double major in corporate communication and French. A two-time OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, as well as a five-time member of the APSU President’s List and a six-time Dean’s List honoree, Bailey was Austin Peay’s 2012 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Off the court, Bailey has been an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serving as both president and vice-president during his tenure with the group. He is also an active member of the Public Relations Society of America and the French Club. He has volunteered with the Wounded Warrior Benefit Dinner, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Food Drive, the Liberty Elementary Book Fair, Austin Peay’s Kid’s Day and Govs Give Back.

“In 18 years of coaching college tennis and being involved with exceptional student-athletes, Sean is one of the best I’ve been around,” Brown said. “Our program is fortunate to have him, and I’m lucky to get the opportunity to coach him for a year.”

Bailey and the rest of the Govs kick off the spring portion of the 2012-13 season, Jan. 26, at Samford.

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