NCAA names fourth-year economics student UAA Co-player of the Year

Andy Strommen, fourth-year student in economics and varsity basketball player, was named the 1999 University Athletic Association Co-player of the Year by the NCAA Division III Conference. Strommen is the first Chicago men’s basketball player to earn UAA Player of the Year honors in the league’s 12-year history. Strommen shares the award with Washington University’s Chris Alexander.

“This is an incredible accomplishment,” said men’s basketball Coach Pat Cunningham. “It is not just about scoring points or rebounds. This is about the leadership and focus Andy brings to our team. Andy’s presence has influenced our team, allowing them to excel both individually and collectively.”

Strommen has already been named to the GTE Academic All-District Team, which makes him eligible for Academic All-America honors to be announced next month. He also has been nominated for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship, which will be announced in May.

In 23 games this season, the 6-foot-1-inch guard led the Maroons with 14.3 points per game, including a 15.5 average in 12 UAA contests. Strommen scored in double figures in 21 of 23 games, including three 20-point efforts and one 30-point performance. He is Chicago’s all-time leader in three-point field goals (185) and three-point field goal percentage (45.5 percent). He was an All-UAA honorable mention pick in 1996-97, when he was the NCAA Division III’s most accurate three-point shooter (52.7 percent).

Strommen also has been involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity while on campus. After graduation, he will join Salomon Smith Barney in New York as a financial analyst.

Strommen said his talents on the court will serve him in his profession, too. “I bring a hard-work ethic and a willingness to make sacrifices in order to do a good job,” said Strommen. Last summer, Strommen followed a rigorous conditioning program and stringent diet because he wanted to improve his performance this past season.

Senior center Craig Kelleher joined Strommen on this year’s All-UAA Team as an honorable mention selection. Kelleher averaged 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game en route to his fourth appearance on the All-UAA Team. Kelleher finished his career as Chicago’s all-time blocked-shots leader (136) and second-leading rebounder (807).

Chicago posted a 17-8 overall record and captured second place in the UAA with a 9-5 mark. The Maroons extended their homecourt winning streak to 22 games, giving Chicago a 39-1 mark at home since Feb. 1, 1996.