WINTER PARK, Fla. (Men’s Tennis) – Florida Tech’s Michael Schmidt was named the Sunshine State Conference’s Sportsmanship Award winner on Thursday.

He is the second Panther to win the award in as many years. One season ago, former men’s golf player Corey Menter was the league’s male sportsmanship award recipient.

A senior from El Paso, Texas, Schmidt conducted himself with class both on and off the court. It was not uncommon to hear him compliment his opponent on a nice shot, even when it may have resulted in a point at his expense.

Serving as one of his team's captains, Schmidt ruptured his plantar fascia tendon in his final season. Despite the injury, he continued to participate in a boot for three months, making every conditioning and court practice to motivate his teammates despite his own limited mobility. His determination eventually helped him work his way back into the Panthers' lineup.

Schmidt's efforts in the classroom were as dedicated as those on the tennis court. He graduated earlier this month with bachelor’s degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematical sciences. He concluded with a 3.77 cumulative grade point average and received the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering's Outstanding Student Award at the spring honors convocation. He also served as a residential director.