Four Huskers Named to Big 12 10th Anniversary Team

Lincoln ? Four University of Nebraska student-athletes were selected to the Big 12 Conference 10th Anniversary team announced Thursday. The group of former Huskers selected for the team include first baseman Dan Johnson; third baseman Alex Gordon, starting pitcher Shane Komine and first baseman/designated hitter Matt Hopper, who was selected as a utility player.

Johnson was one of the most prolific sluggers in Big 12 history during his two year career at Nebraska (2000-01). A two-time All-Big 12 performer, Johnson was a first-team All-American as a senior, hitting .361 with a school record 25 homers and 86 RBIs, as he paced the Big 12 in six categories that season. The 2001 Phillips 66 Tournament MVP, Johnson is currently the starting first baseman for the Oakland Athletics.

Gordon was a two-time Big 12 Player of the Year and was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2005. A two-time first-team All-American who played at NU from 2003 to 2005, Gordon hit .365-18-75 as a sophomore before hitting .372-19-66 during his junior campaign, as he ranked among the Big 12 leaders in every offensive category. Gordon was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals and is currently playing for the Wichita Wranglers in AA Texas League.

One of the most decorated pitchers in college baseball history, Komine was a three-time All-American during his Husker career from 1999 to 2002. One of only eight pitchers in NCAA history to win 40 games and strike out 400 hitters, Komine holds Big 12 and school records for wins (41) strikeouts (510), innings pitched (431) and starts (59), while his 510 strikeouts rank eighth in NCAA history. The 2000 Big 12 Player of the Year and 2001 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, Komine is currently pitching for the Sacramento River Cats in the AAA Pacfic Coast League.

The only Husker to be a three-time first-team All-Big 12 performer, Hopper was one of the Big 12 top power hitters during his career from 2000 to 2003. A two-time All-American, Hopper finished his career was the Big 12’s leader in homers (64), RBIs (271), hits (338) and runs scored (246).  Hopper, who started on two Big 12 title teams and played in NU’s first two College World Series appearances, was the 2003 Big 12 Player of the Year. He is currently the head coach of Bear Creek High School in Colorado.

In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must have been an All-Big 12 First Team selection at least once in their careers. Anniversary teams have been chosen for each conference sport during the 2005-06 season in celebration of the Big 12's 10th Anniversary.

Nearly 1,000 fans participated in online voting through the league's web site. Fan polling was conducted for six 10th Anniversary teams including baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, softball and volleyball.

Big 12 10th Anniversary Team

Player

School

All-Big 12 First Team Season(s)

1B - Dan Johnson

Nebraska

2000, 01

2B - Tim Moss

Texas

2002

SS - Omar Quintanilla

Texas

2001, 03

3B - Alex Gordon

Nebraska

2004, 05

C - Taylor Teagarden

Texas

2005

OF - Carson Kainer

Texas

2004

OF - Drew Stubbs

Texas

2004, 05

OF - Jason Tyner

Texas A&M

1997, 98

UTIL - Matt Hopper

Nebraska

2000, 01, 03

SP - Jason Jennings

Baylor

1998, 99

SP - Shane Komine

Nebraska

2000, 01

SP - J.P. Howell

Texas

2003, 04

SP - Casey Fossum

Texas A&M

1998, 99

RP - Huston Street

Texas

2002, 03

RP - Geoff Geary

Oklahoma

1997

 

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