University of Evansville junior center Clint Hopf has been chosen by the basketball coaching staff to receive the Greg Bordfeld Spirit of the Aces Award, named in honor of the longtime UE employee who passed away from cancer in 2006.

Hopf broke into the starting lineup for the first time last season, and averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 18 points Feb. 20 against Illinois-Chicago, but suffered a season-ending knee injury three days later in UE's win over 22nd ranked Northern Iowa.

"Clint is always the first one in the gym, and the last one to leave," said Coach Marty Simmons. "Even with his injury, Clint's attitude has been awesome. He is focused on getting better as quickly as possible, and I think that's the reason he has made so much progress in the last couple months. Clint has always had the same kind of attitude that Greg Bordfeld had when he was here."

Past recipients of the basketball team's Bordfeld Award were Matt Webster in 2007, Shy Ely in 2008 and Jason Holsinger last year. Each of UE's 14 varsity teams selects a Greg Bordfeld Spirit of the Aces Award winner annually.