The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces the finalists for the second annual CIAA Division of the highly recognized Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program.  An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School™, the award program focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence.

“The CIAA is excited to have such an outstanding program in place to recognize our student-athletes,” said Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner.  “It’s important to highlight their contributions in the community and the leadership skills they display in the classroom and on the court.”

This will mark the second year that the award has recognized outstanding senior basketball student-athletes within the CIAA.

The 2009-10 women’s finalists are: Bianca Lee (Bowie State University), Tameka Christopher (Chowan University), Ashley Anderson (Elizabeth City State University), Tressa Aughburns (Fayetteville State University), Demetria Bell (Johnson C. Smith University), Elizer Iceson (Saint Augustine’s College), Shayln Graves (Saint Paul’s College), Tanisha McGaughey (Shaw University), Angela Brown (Virginia State University) and Tonaye Smith (Virginia Union University).

The 2009-10 men’s finalists are: Delmar Carey (Bowie State University), Lando Morrison (Chowan University), Wallace Sam (Elizabeth City State University), Davon Hood (Fayetteville State University), Brian Mobley (Johnson C. Smith University), Aaron Caruthers (Livingstone College), Brandon Hickson (Saint Augustine’s College), Adrian Bascom (Shaw University), Trey Mines (Virginia State University) and Brandon Byerson (Virginia Union University).

“At Lowe’s, we enjoy our affiliation with the CIAA and it’s fantastic post-season basketball tournament,” said Tom Lamb, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing. “This is a tremendous opportunity to recognize the outstanding student-athletes at the CIAA’s member schools.”

Of the 20 candidates, the male and female winner will be determined through a voting process that runs concurrent with the basketball season and is divided into three categories: 1) on-line fan voting, 2) coaches, and 3) media. Each category accounts for one-third of the total vote.

Lowe’s, a sponsor of the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, will recognize the men’s and women’s basketball winners on Lowe’s Day at the CIAA on Thursday, February 25, 2010, between the 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. games.

“The CIAA’s partnership with Lowe’s is one that we are proud of because it allows us to recognize our outstanding senior student-athletes,” said Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner.  “It’s important to acknowledge our student-athletes who serve as leaders in the classroom, in the community and on the court.”

This will mark the second year that the award has recognized outstanding senior basketball student-athletes within the CIAA.  Lowe’s, a sponsor of the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, will present the men’s and women’s basketball winners on Lowe’s Day at the CIAA on Thursday, February 25, 2010, between the 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. games.

These 22 nominees (one male and one female selected from each CIAA school) will be announced in late October.  The male and female winner will be determined through a voting process, which is divided into three categories: 1) on-line fan voting, 2) coaches, and 3) media. Each category accounts for one-third of the total vote.

“We are pleased to continue our relationship with the CIAA and its men’s and women’s basketball programs,” said Tom Lamb, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing. “Through the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program, deserving young men and women will be recognized for their commitment to their teams and their communities and their efforts in the classroom and on the court.”

“The CIAA is proud to partner with Lowe’s to recognize our outstanding senior student-athletes,” said Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner.  “It’s important to highlight our student-athletes who set a good example and are leaders in the classroom, in the community and on the court.”

This will mark the first year that the award has recognized outstanding senior basketball student-athletes within the CIAA.  Lowe’s, a sponsor of the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament, will present the men’s and women’s basketball winners on Lowe’s Day at the CIAA on Thursday, Feb. 26, between the 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. games.

The 2008-09 women’s finalists are: Denisha Kenion (Bowie State University), April Whitaker (Elizabeth City State University), Chelsea Jeter (Fayetteville State University), Janai Jackson (Johnson C. Smith University), Kayleah Joseph (Livingstone College), Nadege Wandeu (Saint Augustine’s College), Alicia Brown (Saint Paul’s College), Celanese Bozeman (Shaw University), Salita Childs (Virginia State University) and Dashia Chandler (Virginia Union University).

The 2008-09 men’s finalists are: Jeron Jackson (Bowie State University), Anthony Hilliard (Elizabeth City State University), Ariel Robinson (Fayetteville State University), Ryan Scott (Johnson C. Smith University), Tayloe Taylor (Livingstone College), William Gill (Saint Augustine’s College), Bruce Royal (Saint Paul’s College), John Duros (Shaw University), Leon Willis (Virginia State University) and Greg Thondique (Virginia Union University).

These 20 nominees (one male and one female selected from each CIAA school) will be submitted to the conference and the CIAA Board of Directors.  The male and female winner will be selected on Sunday, Feb. 22.

“Basketball was the original inspiration behind this award and it has been embraced throughout the nation for saluting senior student-athletes who elect to stay in school, earn their degree and get involved in their community,” said Bob Gfeller, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing.  “Each of these young men and women selected as finalists for the 2009 basketball award has displayed tremendous character while making an impact both on and off the court.”