The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award was first established in basketball in response to the trend of men's college basketball players leaving school early to play professionally. This award  emphasizes both on- and off-field achievements.Since the award began in 2001 six sports have been added to the program. 

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, in its second full year as title sponsor of the Senior CLASS Award, launched this expansion to encompass a broader spectrum of sports and student athletes.

The decision to expand the award to more NCAA sports was prompted by two key factors. First, the incredible response over the past six years by college athletics to the Senior CLASS Award, commonly hailed as “the right award at the right time.” Second, the award is an excellent way for Lowe’s to implement its commitment to helping young people build successful careers and encouraging students to use their skills to make an impact in life.