May 17, 2007

ERIE, Pa. - Former Mercyhurst College forward Mitch Brennan was one of 12 players selected to represent Australia at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8-18.

Brennan is just one of two NCAA Division II athletes selected to the Australian squad. Eight play or played for NCAA Division I institutions, with the remaining pair attending Australian colleges.

In four years at Mercyhurst, he finished his career tied for second all-time with 110 games played. His .411 three-point percentage in 2006-07 was the sixth best season for a Laker and his .857 mark at the charity stripe paced the team. Brennan also ranks among the school's top 50 all-time scorers, finishing his career with over 700 points.

The World University Summer Games are held every two years under the patronage of the International University Sport Federation (FISU) and is an official FIBA sanctioned event.

The team will hold a five-day training camp in Bangkok starting on August and including and exhibition game against Canada.

The World University Games are an international sporting and cultural festival, staged every two years in a different city.

The Summer University Games consists of 12 events: Athletics, Basketball, Fencing, Soccer, Gymnastics, Judo, Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Volleyball and optional sports chosen by the host country. The Bangkok games will also feature Golf, Shooting, Badminton and Taekwondo.

The 2007 Australian Men's University team:
Ben Allen - University of Indiana
Ryan Bathie - Nicholls State University
Aaron Baynes - Washington State University
Stefan Blasczcynski - Nicholls State University
Mitch Brennan - Mercyhurst College
Luke Cooper - University of Alaska - Anchorage
Carlin Hughes - St. Mary's College - California
Martin Iti - New Mexico State University
Marcus Ng - University of Adelaide (Adelaide 36ers)
Liam Norton - University of Melbourne (Melbourne Tigers)
Alex Opacic - Furman University
Lucas Walker - St. Mary's College - California

Head Coach: Bruce Palmer
Assistant Coach: Paul Mesecke
Manager: Greg Warnecke

Reserves:
Daniel Bass - Metropolitan State College Denver
Tom Garlepp - University of California - Santa Barbara
Chris Neal - San Diego Christian College
Hayden Smith - Metropolitan State College Denver