Missouri State

Tanner Mattson begins his second season as a student assistant after a two-year playing career while he pursues a master's degree in business with an emphasis in sports management scheduled for completion in May 2009.

Mattson joined the Bears in 2006 and started 107 games over the next two seasons, with 106 of those coming at shortstop. He finished fourth on the team in hitting as a senior with a .276 average and was voted to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.

He finished his MSU career with a .262 batting average, 94 base hits, 23 doubles and 45 RBIs.

Prior to Missouri State, Mattson played two seasons at Howard (Texas) Junior College, where he hit .445 with 53 RBIs to earn all-conference honors as a sophomore. He left Howard ranking third all-time in hits and stolen bases.

Mattson earned a bachelor's degree in marketing/sales/sales management from MSU in May 2008.