Greg Preston

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) announces the selection of Texas Tech University graduate Gregory Preston as the recipient of the 2010 Men's Collegiate Club Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

The highest honor bestowed by the league to an active player, matched only by the induction of a former player to the league's Hall of Fame, the award recognizes an outstanding senior student-athlete who has achieved success in both the scholastic (3.25 or higher cumulative grade point average) and athletic arenas while possessing a spirit which provides service to the community.

Athletes were nominated by their respective Department of Athletics with each CWPA institution eligible to nominate a male student-athlete for the award with the recipient being selected based on a points system derived from Community Service, CWPA Academic Honors, Scholastic Achievement and All-Conference selections over their career.

The second recipient of the award following 2009 honoree Joe Moran of Monmouth College, Preston graduated from Texas Tech last month with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Petroleum Engineering and Mathematics.

"Without a doubt, I could literally talk for days on how lucky and blessed I was to have Greg as a participant within the Sports Club Federation at Texas Tech University," noted Assistant Director of Sport Clubs Jonathan Elliott.

A 2008 Texas Division All-Conference Second Team selection and the President of the club from 2006 until his graduation, Preston is a member of Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Texas Tech University Symphony Orchestra.

The founder of the Texas Tech club program, he worked as a Completions Engineering intern with British Petroleum from May-August 2009 concentrating on providing recommendations for the use of permanent downhole gauges for BP Gulf of Mexico assets.  In addition, Preston analyzed tubing design and modeled stresses caused by current production.  He previously interned with BP in Drilling Engineering (May-August 2008) and a Completions Engineering (May 2007-August 2007).

"The biggest contribution of Greg's has been his unyielding dedication to the Men's Water Polo Club," added Elliott.  "Not only did he create the program, but he literally built it into a student organization that is among the Federation's elite in terms of leadership, performance and significance.  He understands the long-term vision regarding effort, tenacity and sacrifice, and through his efforts secured a job with BP Global before graduating."