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March 18, 2009

Candidates Revealed for Lowe's CLASS Award

For the third consecutive year, Lowe’s will partner with the NCAA to present the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.

The student-athlete must be an NCAA Division I senior and have achievements in four areas: Classroom, Character, Community and Competition.

Rice pitcher Cole St. Clair was named the Nation’s Premier Senior Student-Athlete a season ago. Alabama infielder Emeel Salem won the first baseball award in 2007.

The list of 30 candidates, including Wagner catcher Chris Drechsel (right) will be reduced to 10 finalists midway through the regular season. Ballots will be distributed nationally to media, coaches and fans.

Sportscaster Dick Enberg, Honorary Chairman for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, came up with the idea for an award for seniors in 2001 in response to the large number of men’s basketball players leaving early for the NBA. The award was started to honor senior student-athletes who remained in school, exhausting their collegiate eligibility in pursuit of their college degree.

2009 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Baseball Candidates

Chris Auten, 1B, New Mexico State