WILMINGTON, N.C. - Former UNC Wilmington baseball standout Tim Preston has been granted a Degree Completion Award by the NCAA, giving the record-setting outfielder an opportunity to complete his undergraduate degree at the university.

      ""This is a great opportunity that the NCAA has given Tim to return to UNCW to complete his degree and graduate," said Sandy Williford, UNCW's Assistant Athletic Director for Academics. "I know it is his goal to complete his Business Administration degree and move on to his next stage in life. This award will allow him to do that."

      The NCAA Division I Degree Completion Award Program was established in 1989 to assist student-athletes who could not complete their education during their five-year eligibility period. To be eligible to apply for this program, a student-athlete must have competed at a Division I institution, received athletics-related aid, and be within 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of completion of his or her degree.

      "I'm extremely excited that Tim has the opportunity to complete his degree where he had an outstanding career," said UNCW Head Coach Mark Scalf. "After finishing his professional career, Tim took the initiative and explored how he could finish his degree. He's a true Seahawk who gave everything he had for this program."

      While with the Seahawks, Preston forged his name in the record books, posting the highest career batting average at .371, ranking second in career slugging percentage (.586) and third in on base average (.439). A junior college transfer from Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Wash., Preston also set a school and conference record with 102 hits during the 2005 season. He also is the last Seahawk to hit .400 or better, finishing at .406 in 2005.

      Former student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility can apply for the NCAA Degree Completion Award by contacting Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services Felicia Martin in the NCAA's Athletic Academic Services Department at (806) 742-0150.