Had surgery last season . . . looked good in fall practice . . . expected back full-speed in March.

2002: Sat out with injury.

St. Joseph's: Appeared in six games for the Hawks . . . pitched six innings, giving up four earned runs for a 6.00 ERA.

High School: Prepped at Mountain Brook HS . . . voted preseason Louisville Slugger/Baseball Factory All-American . . . led Mountain Brook in ERA and strikeouts . . . tied school record for fewest strikeouts in a season . . . Jefferson County Super Scholar . . . member of Mu Alpha Theta and Who's Who Among American High School Students.

Personal: Born December 2, 1981 . . . son of Ronald and Amy Neimkin . . . majoring in management.

Bulldog Bits on Neimkin

Strangest nickname: White Mike Favorite sport besides baseball: golf Favorite place to eat: Fat Sam's Sandwich Shop My parents were right when they said: college sports are hard work I have to admit, I am really good at: cards My craziest dream: being the richest man in the world My roommates think I am: neat and organized Nobody believes me when I tell them I: can dunk a basketball Favorite athlete: Phil Michelson Reason for choosing Samford: academics, good environment and coaches