June 5, 2003

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - A ceremony to honor the memory of University of North Carolina women's swimmer Andrea Erben will be held at the Pope Box (Fourth Floor) of the Kenan Stadium Guest Box on Saturday, June 14th beginning at 3 p.m. The UNC swimming and diving family was recently filled with sadness over Memorial Day weekend upon hearing of the death of sophomore swimmer in her home state of Florida. Andrea Erben swam for the North Carolina Aquatic Club as a freshman before walking on the Tar Heel team as a sophomore and competing during the 2002-03 season.

Head Coach Frank Comfort had the following to say of Andrea. "Andrea was a special student-athlete. As a freshman she had to swim with NCAC in order to make team qualification times. This in no way deterred her and she made them. As a sophmore, she continued to improve as an athlete and made our traveling team. I expected her to be a a fine performer as a junior and a truly great one as a senior. Standards to be great at UNC are very high. She was a wonderful and motivatng team member. She knew how to take care of herself and motivate others to do the same thing. As a student she was brilliant. She will be missed in so many positive ways. It is truly a great tragedy. Her memory will motivate others and she will be greatly missed, but always remembered."

The Erben family has requested any gifts be directed to UNC Swimming and Diving through the UNC Educational Foundation. Please contact either Frank Comfort (919-962-6000) or Sue Walsh (919-945-2000) for further information.

Following is a short bio of Andrea:

Andrea Erben

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Panama City, Fla.

Club Team: Panama Cty Swim Team/North Carolina Aquatic Club

General: Swam this past summer (2002) in the U.S. Nationals...a walk on who met necessary qualifying times as a freshman to earn on a spot on the team roster this season...excels in middle distance freestyle events...made Dean's List both semesters of her freshman year and sophomore year...inducted into National Society of Collegiate Scholars...swam last summer for North Carolina Aquatic Club at Senior Nationals on relays.

Prep: Member of Panama City Swim Team where she was coached by Jeremy Vail...graduated ninth in high school class and was member of National Honor Society...captain and four-time MVP of high school swimming team...Scholastic All-America her senior year...earned Bay County 4.0 athletic award four years...finalist at 2000 Florida State high school meet.

Personal: Given name is Andrea Leane Erben...daughter of Steve and Julia Erben...international studies major...hobbies include tennis and playing cello...was born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and lived there until she was 14 when she moved to Florida.