VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton men's tennis senior Michael Pawlowicz has received the Jack Vredevelt Sportsmanship Award from the Mid-American Conference, the league announced Wednesday. The award is named for former Western Michigan Hall of Fame player and head coach Jack Vredevelt and given annually to a senior who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship throughout his career.

"Michael has battled through a lot of adversity in his time here and always did it with a smile on his face," head coach Nick Zieziula said. "He has been a great example and leader for our program and its core values, especially Gratitude, Grit (embracing challenges) and Compete (striving together). It's great to see his efforts recognized by the MAC coaches. I haven't seen too many players overrule an official to go against themselves, but I've seen Michael do that and that's just the type of person he is and the standard he set for himself and those around him."

Pawlowicz is a four-year No. 1 player who was regionally ranked in doubles and has balanced high-level tennis with a 3.96 cumulative GPA in a dual major of philosophy, politics & law and political science. Pawlowicz also endured a lengthy rehab from an ACL injury and perhaps best personifies the grit and multi-faceted drive of a typical Bearcat student-athlete.

He becomes the first Binghamton player to win the honor.