- 2006-07 Husker 24 Award Winner
- Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Fall 2005; Spring 2006; Fall 2006)
2007 Outlook: The veteran of the Husker catching corps, junior Mark Hightower is back for his third season at Nebraska ? Former walk-on has provided depth behind the plate in 2005 and 2006, making 18 appearances as a true freshman on NU’s CWS team ? Has a good understanding of the game and works hard to build a rapport with the Husker pitching staff ? Is battling sophomore Jeff Lanning and junior college transfer Mitch Abeita for the starting catching position and has worked hard to put himself in position for the most extensive action of his Husker career this spring ? Was selected as one of the inaugural Husker 24 Award Winners in January of 2007, a group of 24 upperclassmen selected by University of Nebraska faculty for their leadership and spirit ? Is a nutritional science and pre-med major who wants to attend medical school following his college career.
2006: Hightower saw action in four contests, working behind Jeff Christy, a sixth-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, and freshman Jeff Lanning ? Made his only start of the year against Illinois State on March 15, going 0-1 with a walk ? Caught the final three innings against UNK on April 19, going hitless in two at-bats ? Also made appearances against Charleston Southern on Feb. 16 and against Northern Colorado on March 29, but did not get an at-bat in either contest.
2005: Hightower earned a spot during fall drills and served as the Huskers’ backup catcher as a true freshman ? Appeared in 18 contests, primarily as a defensive replacement for Jeff Christy ? Performed well in limited duty, hitting .400 (4-for-10) with three RBIs ? Recorded two multi-hit games, including a 2-for-3 effort with two RBIs, a run scored and a stolen base in a start against North Dakota State on April 13 ? Recorded his first multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI against South Dakota State on March 13 ? Saw limited duty in conference play, filling in as a defensive replacement in two contests ? Made two appearances in the College World Series, striking out against Arizona State in his only postseason plate appearance on June 21.
Elkhorn High School: Hightower played an instrumental role in helping Coach Jerry Frerichs and Elkhorn High School qualify for its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2004 ? Chosen as an honorable-mention all-state selection by the Omaha World-Herald as a senior, when he batted .370 with 14 RBIs, while recording an on-base percentage of .446 ? Threw out over 40 percent (16 of 39) of would-be base stealers, as EHS finished with a 21-9 record ? Lettered three times in baseball while also playing four years of club hockey ? Selected to the academic all-state baseball team in each of his final three seasons of high school ? Was an outstanding student at EHS, carrying a 4.0 GPA during his final two years in school and was a member of the honor roll all four years of school ? Also looked at Creighton and South Dakota State before choosing Nebraska.
Personal: Born on Oct. 2, 1985, in Omaha ? Parents are Steve and Jeanne Hightower ? Has one brother (Scott) and one sister (Kim) ? Is a nutrition sciences and pre-medicine major with a 3.368 GPA.