Tom Mendonca’s legacy just keeps growing.
After a decorated career at Fresno State, the Turlock High graduate was the top male student-athlete in the Western Athletic Conference as he earned the Joe Kearney Award on Tuesday.
The award is named in honor of the former WAC commissioner and given to the top male and female student-athletes in the league. Fresno State women’s tennis player Melanie Gloria was the other winner.
Mendonca, now playing for the Short Season Class A Spokane Indians of the Texas Rangers organization, is the fifth Fresno State athlete to be recognized with the award. Professionally, he’s been doing quite well lately. He knocked out three home runs Wednesday, finishing with seven homers for the season and leading the Indians to a 6-2 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Northwest League action.
Mendonca received plenty of honors while at Fresno State (he left before his senior season after being drafted this summer). He was named the 2009 WAC Player of the Year, after leading the league and ranking third nationally in home runs with 27. He was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser and Golden Spikes National Player of the Year Award, and was named to five All-American teams last season.
“It’s a great honor to win this award and be recognized out of all the athletes in the WAC,” Mendonca said in a news release. “It’s not only another achievement for me, but also for Fresno State. I want to thank everyone, like my friends, family and coaches, for keeping me focused and getting me where I am today.”
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
After a decorated career at Fresno State, the Turlock High graduate was the top male student-athlete in the Western Athletic Conference as he earned the Joe Kearney Award on Tuesday.
The award is named in honor of the former WAC commissioner and given to the top male and female student-athletes in the league. Fresno State women’s tennis player Melanie Gloria was the other winner.
Mendonca, now playing for the Short Season Class A Spokane Indians of the Texas Rangers organization, is the fifth Fresno State athlete to be recognized with the award. Professionally, he’s been doing quite well lately. He knocked out three home runs Wednesday, finishing with seven homers for the season and leading the Indians to a 6-2 victory over the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Northwest League action.
Mendonca received plenty of honors while at Fresno State (he left before his senior season after being drafted this summer). He was named the 2009 WAC Player of the Year, after leading the league and ranking third nationally in home runs with 27. He was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser and Golden Spikes National Player of the Year Award, and was named to five All-American teams last season.
“It’s a great honor to win this award and be recognized out of all the athletes in the WAC,” Mendonca said in a news release. “It’s not only another achievement for me, but also for Fresno State. I want to thank everyone, like my friends, family and coaches, for keeping me focused and getting me where I am today.”
To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.
