TEN FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AND NATIONWIDE VOTING BEGINS TO DETERMINE 2008 LOWE’S SENIOR CLASS AWARD W
February 13, 2008
(Kansas City, MO) - TEN FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AND NATIONWIDE VOTING BEGINS TO DETERMINE 2008 LOWE’S SENIOR CLASS AWARD WINNER FOR NCAA® DIVISION I MEN’S ICE HOCKEY
Award to Senior Student-Athlete will be Presented by Lowe’s At NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four®
(Kansas City, MO) – Ten senior student-athletes who excel both on and off the ice have been selected as finalists for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in the Men’s Hockey division. Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine this year’s winner, which will receive the award during the NCAA Frozen Four in Denver, CO.
The finalists were chosen from a list of 20 candidates based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. These four primary areas of criteria include: classroom, community, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award has developed into the nation’s premier tribute to college seniors. The award, which launched in 2001 with college basketball, is now in its second year for men’s hockey. Notre Dame goaltender David Brown won the inaugural hockey division award in 2007.
The 2008 finalists are: Mark Dekanich, Colgate, Bryce Hollweg, Army, Peter Mannino, Denver, Marty Mjelleli, St. Cloud State, Justin Pesony, St. Lawrence, Kevin Porter, Michigan, Frank Schiavone, Air Force, Topher Scott, Cornell, Landis Stankievech, Princeton and Mark Van Guilder, Notre Dame.
These ten names will be placed on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award men’s hockey ballot for a nationwide vote beginning February 13 and concluding March 28. Fan balloting, available on the award’s official website http://www.seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award.
“These young men are outstanding student-athletes who deserve recognition for their all-around achievements in the classroom, in the community and in the hockey rink,” said Bob Gfeller, Lowe’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. “The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is dedicated to honor senior collegians that are making an impact on others with their talents. This is an impressive group of individuals and we commend each of them, along with their respective coaches and universities.”
During festivities surrounding the NCAA® Men’s Frozen Four®, scheduled on April 10-12 in Denver, Colorado, the 2008 award winner will be announced and presented with the prestigious Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award trophy. The Lowe’s All-Senior All-America Team, based on final results of the balloting, will also be recognized.
The idea of an award to salute collegiate seniors was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The Senior CLASS Award was formed to honor senior student-athletes who fulfill their entire collegiate athletic eligibility, earn a college degree and give back to their community.
Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA®, extended the award in 2007 to include six other NCAA sports: men’s hockey, men’s lacrosse, baseball, softball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer.
