June 18, 2007

DeKALB, Ill. - Matt German was named to the 12th Annual Pro-Line Athletic National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-American team, becoming the first Northern Illinois player in history to earn All-America honors on the diamond. The closer from Aurora, Ill., earned second-team accolades and is the lone MAC representative of the 56 players honored. One day later, German earned second team All Ping! accolades as selected by pingbaseball.com, a national website devoted to college baseball.

"These are more great honors for Matt German and for NIU baseball," said head coach Ed Mathey. "I am extremely happy for Matt and it was nice to him recognized as an All-American. That honor speaks volumes about what he has meant to our program and what he has achieved in collegiate baseball."

German racked up 13 saves while notching a career-best five victories during the 2007 campaign. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 34 appearances and struck out 56 while yielding just 31 hits in 46.0 innings of work. German finished his NIU career as the school's career saves leader and ranked second on the MAC's all-time list.

One of five national finalists for the NCBWA's Stopper of the Year Award, German joined an exclusive group of hurlers on the organization's All-America teams as one of four relievers on the first or second team. In addition, the lefthander earned unanimous First-Team All-MAC honors this season and was named to the league's All-Tournament team.

As a fifth-year senior, German signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization after completing his eligibility.

NIU has had representation on Academic and Freshman All-America teams, but never had a national selection until German's NCBWA honor this season. The Huskies enjoyed their winningest and most decorated season in history in 2007, setting records for Division I victories and MAC wins while achieving the deepest MAC Tournament run in school history and collecting several "firsts" along the way.