BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb tied for the top spot among league men's basketball programs with eight student-athletes on the 2010-2011 Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll.

In order to be selected to the league's honor roll, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for the academic year.

The Runnin' Bulldogs have four of those student-athletes returning for the 2011-2012 season. Guard Jason Dawson (Columbus, Ohio), center Mike Byron (San Antonio, Texas), guard Jay Royster (Shelby, N.C.) and guard David Brown (Margate, Fla.) will each be back on the court for head coach Chris Holtmann.

Gardner-Webb heads to the Bahamas on August 12 to begin a brief international tour that will feature a pair of exhibition games in preparation for the 2011-2012 season.