Lowe's Senior CLASS Award - CIAA Division

The CIAA Announces Finalists for the 2008-09 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award – CIAA Division

February 22, 2009

HAMPTON, VA (February 22, 2009) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Lowe’s have expanded their partnership by creating a 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 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.”

Men’s Basketball 2008-09 Finalists

Women’s Basketball 2008-09 Finalists