With the 54th pick in the 2013 Major League Lacrosse Draft, the Boston Cannons selected Buckley, Army’s top-rated defenseman. Team vice president and general manager Kevin Barney talked about his thought process for Buckley.

“It is always a risk in selecting a military guy as to where their career will take them, but we felt the risk and reward with Buckley was well worth the chance,” Barney said in a blog on the team’s website.

When looking back on Buckley’s collegiate career at West Point, it’s not hard to see why Barney and the Cannons were willing to take a chance with him. While a Black Knight, Buckley was named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year both in lacrosse and in overall sports, as well as being selected a two-time Academic All-Patriot League Team honoree, three-time Academic Honor Roll recipient and named a Dean’s Pentathlete after maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.987.

On the field Buckley averaged two forced turnovers per game, accumulating 23 ground balls and 30 turnovers while being a team captain during his senior year.

Along with academic prowess and a laundry list of Patriot League awards, Buckley’s ability to handle tough competition was what caught the eye of Boston Cannons coach Steve Duffy. Duffy noticed that Buckley always seemed to be covering the opponent’s best player.

Buckley successfully held Colgate’s Peter Baum – another Senior CLASS Award finalist – scoreless in their meeting. Considered by some to be the best scorer in collegiate lacrosse, Baum scored 33 goals in 2012.

Buckley also was an active member of his community while studying at West Point. Along with the other members of his battalion, he started a cadet mentorship program where cadets would visit local elementary schools to read and play sports with kids.

Buckley would describe his motivations in a 2011 interview with the Times Herald-Record.

“I think it’s just an intensity,’’ Buckley said. “I am physical. I try to be aggressive. I have grown to be more of a takeaway defenseman, but that is not what Army defense is and that is not what I am all about. I am about helping other defensemen on the field, and make sure that I have my matchup taken care of.”

On May 18, Buckley played in his first professional lacrosse game, picking up a ground ball and helping the Cannons get their first win of the season, beating the Chesapeake Bayhawks in a 15-14 overtime win.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I softball coaches, national softball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I softball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I am so honored to receive this award and represent the University of Alabama. It would not have been possible to achieve this great honor without the life lessons and support of my coaches, teammates and staff here at UA,” Braud said. “It has been a true pleasure to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me over the last four years. I am humbled by this award and I share it with this community and university.”

The Eugene, Ore., native is an academic all-American and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete. The public relations major carries a 3.7 grade point average and has been on the Dean’s List her entire career. In the community, Braud assisted with relief efforts in Tuscaloosa after a devastating tornado. She participates in Read Across America, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation and in the Autism Society of America’s Light It Blue campaign and Walk for Autism.

“Kayla Braud is one of those kids who comes along once in a coaches’ lifetime.  She did everything right on and off the field as witnessed by her being named a three-time academic All-American and a three-time NFCA All-American,” Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “She was one of the best leaders we have had in our program and willed this year’s team to 45 wins.  Her legacy will be one to emulate for years to come.”

Braud finished the regular season with a .460 batting average and a team-high 80 hits. She scored 59 runs and recorded 22 RBI. This year, she was selected as a first-team All-SEC member for the third time in her career and was also named to the conference’s all-defensive team. The defending NCAA champion Tide finished the regular season 42-13.

“Kayla has maintained a high level of performance on one of the best softball teams in the nation year in and year out,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “She’s also demonstrated a high level of service in those four years, devoting many hours to worthy projects in her college community.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s lacrosse coaches, national lacrosse media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I lacrosse. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I am humbled and honored to accept this year’s Senior CLASS Award. I considered it a huge honor to be included amongst the finalists, all of whom are tremendous lacrosse players and could have easily won as well,” Buckley said. “This award is not about me; it’s about the amazing coaches and teammates I’ve had the pleasure of playing for and with during my time here at West Point.

“I’d also like to thank the fans, head coaches and media members for supporting me over the last couple of months. We have some of the best fans in the country and their support, along with my teammates’ votes, did not go unnoticed. This is truly a thrill and something I will cherish for a very long time.”

Buckley is a first-team academic all-American and is ranked in the top 15 of his class of more than 1,000 cadets. The Massapequa, N.Y., native has a 3.987 grade point average and will enter the Field Artillery branch of the U.S. Army after graduating with a degree in engineering management. He has been awarded the Distinguished Cadet Award and the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence based on his overall efforts in academics, military science, military development and physical fitness. In the community, Buckley started a cadet mentorship program that has included trips to a local elementary school for reading and playing sports with the students.

“I could not be more excited for Brendan. He has worked so hard and could not be more deserving of such a tremendous honor,” Army coach Joe Alberici said. “He exemplifies everything this award stands for to the fullest extent. I believe he is one of the finest lacrosse players in America, but more importantly, he is an unbelievable person and leader.”
Buckley is a three-year starter and led Army with 19 caused turnovers this season. The lockdown defender was one of two Army players taken in the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft and has been a member of the all-conference team twice. Army finished the season with an 8-6 record.

“Brendan has been a competitor and winner throughout his college career, but his most important contributions will come after he gets his degree when he brings those same skills to the United States military,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “He’s an outstanding example of what a Senior CLASS Award winner does during and after college.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through June 10. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA College World Series® in Omaha June 15-26.

Somehow, this extremely bright overachiever has recorded outstanding grades, fashioned a solid collegiate hockey career, scored an interview for the Rhodes Scholarship and introduced a charity to both his school and its hockey conference.

It should be mentioned that he’s doing all this as a member of the United States Military Academy, where discipline heads a list of characteristics of the student body in general.

An engineering management major, Rocha is a three-time Atlantic Hockey Association Academic All-Star. He posted the highest GPA among league defensemen as a junior and was named Student-Athlete of the Year. Rocha spearheaded House of Blues, an awareness campaign for prostate cancer. The Army hockey team wears blue jerseys for one game to raise awareness. Rocha has worked with the Atlantic Hockey Association to integrate the program into the conference, and House of Blues is now the preferred charity of Atlantic Hockey. Rocha is also active with the Special Olympics and Neighborhood Knights, a team group that provides community service.

A four-year contributor to the team, Rocha played in all but two games this season – the two games he missed were to attend his Rhodes Scholarship interview. The defenseman finished the season with one goal and three assists.

“This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor for Cheyne,” said Army hockey coach Brian Riley. “His hard work on and off the ice has been an inspiration to many and it’s great to see him recognized nationally for his efforts.”

Rocha will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Engineer Branch of the U.S. Army following graduation – no doubt an event he has budgeted time for in his busy schedule!

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s ice hockey coaches, national ice hockey media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s ice hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I am humbled and honored to accept the Senior CLASS Award,” said Rocha who will commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Engineer Branch of the U.S. Army following graduation. “I have been blessed with great teammates, coaches and instructors during my time at West Point and this award is a result of their mentorship and support. I want to thank my family for their unwavering support and guidance. This was a great group of finalists and I would like to thank all of the fans, media and head coaches who voted for me during this process. I also want to thank the hard working people behind the Senior CLASS Award for their support of college athletics, especially those who succeed on and off the ice.”

An engineering management major, Rocha is a three-time Atlantic Hockey Association Academic All-Star. He posted the highest GPA among league defensemen as a junior and was named Student-Athlete of the Year. Rocha spearheaded House of Blues, an awareness campaign for prostate cancer, now the preferred charity of Atlantic Hockey. He is active with the Special Olympics and Neighborhood Knights, a team group that provides community service.

“This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor for Cheyne,” said Army hockey coach Brian Riley. “His hard work on and off the ice has been an inspiration to many and it’s great to see him recognized nationally for his efforts. We would like to thank all of the fans, coaches and media members who voted for Cheyne and congratulate all of the other finalists. There are some great hockey players doing great things and we are grateful to the Senior CLASS folks for recognizing and rewarding these young men.”

A four-year contributor to the team, Rocha played in all but two games this season – the two games he missed were to attend his Rhodes Scholarship interview. The defenseman finished the season with one goal and three assists.

“Cheyne has maintained the discipline and focus necessary to complete his studies at one of our country’s military academies,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award, “but he has also contributed to a hockey team and guided several community service initiatives as well, making him a terrific representative of this year’s outstanding group of hockey finalists.”

Delle Donne signed with Connecticut out of high school, but after two days on campus, she longed to be closer to her family, including a sister with whom she shares an unbreakable bond. The easy choice would have been for her to remain at UConn and enjoy what would surely be NCAA championships and national accolades. But Delle Donne never shied away from the responsibility of being there for Lizzie, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Delle Donne, a four-time All-American and three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, led the Blue Hens to a 32-4 overall record this season with back-to-back CAA titles. She ranked second in the nation with 26 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in eight games this season. She holds CAA career records for points, field goals, free throws, and blocks and is the fifth leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points.

A human services major with a 3.63 grade point average, Delle Donne has twice been named the recipient of the Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year award. Delle Donne is active in many team community service activities, including visits to A.I. duPont Children’s Hospital and working with Delaware Special Olympics.

Hulls was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball at Bloomington South High School and led his team to a perfect 26-0 season and a state championship as a senior. While he was starring in high school, his beloved Hoosiers were suffering through one of the worst seasons in school history, going 6-25 in coach Tom Crean’s first year. Hulls’ commitment to IU never wavered despite the overhaul the program would likely face over the next four years.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hulls ranked second in the conference in three-point shooting percentage at 45 percent. Indiana finished the 2012-13 regular season ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Hulls has played more games than any other player in Indiana University history, passing the 133-game record held by Randy Wittman and Jeff Newton.

During his career, Hulls was recognized as an Academic All-American and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. While in college, Hulls worked to help people become more physically fit. He worked with patients recovering from cardiac issues and also encouraged faculty members in need of beginning a healthy lifestyle.

Delle Donne’s commitment to her family was rock solid. Hulls’ commitment to his hometown school never wavered. Both have proven throughout their careers that home is where their hearts are.

Delle Donne signed with Connecticut out of high school, but after two days on campus, she longed to be closer to her family, including a sister with whom she shares an unbreakable bond. The easy choice would have been for her to remain at UConn and enjoy what would surely be NCAA championships and national accolades. But Delle Donne never shied away from the responsibility of being there for Lizzie, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Delle Donne, a four-time All-American and three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, led the Blue Hens to a 32-4 overall record this season with back-to-back CAA titles. She ranked second in the nation with 26 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in eight games this season. She holds CAA career records for points, field goals, free throws, and blocks and is the fifth leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points.

A human services major with a 3.63 grade point average, Delle Donne has twice been named the recipient of the Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year award. Delle Donne is active in many team community service activities, including visits to A.I. duPont Children’s Hospital and working with Delaware Special Olympics.

Hulls was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball at Bloomington South High School and led his team to a perfect 26-0 season and a state championship as a senior. While he was starring in high school, his beloved Hoosiers were suffering through one of the worst seasons in school history, going 6-25 in coach Tom Crean’s first year. Hulls’ commitment to IU never wavered despite the overhaul the program would likely face over the next four years.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hulls ranked second in the conference in three-point shooting percentage at 45 percent. Indiana finished the 2012-13 regular season ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Hulls has played more games than any other player in Indiana University history, passing the 133-game record held by Randy Wittman and Jeff Newton.

During his career, Hulls was recognized as an Academic All-American and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. While in college, Hulls worked to help people become more physically fit. He worked with patients recovering from cardiac issues and also encouraged faculty members in need of beginning a healthy lifestyle.

Delle Donne’s commitment to her family was rock solid. Hulls’ commitment to his hometown school never wavered. Both have proven throughout their careers that home is where their hearts are.

Delle Donne signed with Connecticut out of high school, but after two days on campus, she longed to be closer to her family, including a sister with whom she shares an unbreakable bond. The easy choice would have been for her to remain at UConn and enjoy what would surely be NCAA championships and national accolades. But Delle Donne never shied away from the responsibility of being there for Lizzie, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Delle Donne, a four-time All-American and three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, led the Blue Hens to a 32-4 overall record this season with back-to-back CAA titles. She ranked second in the nation with 26 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in eight games this season. She holds CAA career records for points, field goals, free throws, and blocks and is the fifth leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points.

A human services major with a 3.63 grade point average, Delle Donne has twice been named the recipient of the Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year award. Delle Donne is active in many team community service activities, including visits to A.I. duPont Children’s Hospital and working with Delaware Special Olympics.

Hulls was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball at Bloomington South High School and led his team to a perfect 26-0 season and a state championship as a senior. While he was starring in high school, his beloved Hoosiers were suffering through one of the worst seasons in school history, going 6-25 in coach Tom Crean’s first year. Hulls’ commitment to IU never wavered despite the overhaul the program would likely face over the next four years.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hulls ranked second in the conference in three-point shooting percentage at 45 percent. Indiana finished the 2012-13 regular season ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Hulls has played more games than any other player in Indiana University history, passing the 133-game record held by Randy Wittman and Jeff Newton.

During his career, Hulls was recognized as an Academic All-American and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. While in college, Hulls worked to help people become more physically fit. He worked with patients recovering from cardiac issues and also encouraged faculty members in need of beginning a healthy lifestyle.

Delle Donne’s commitment to her family was rock solid. Hulls’ commitment to his hometown school never wavered. Both have proven throughout their careers that home is where their hearts are.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women’s basketball coaches, national basketball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women’s basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“It is a true honor to be the recipient of the Senior CLASS Award. I am a student-athlete who truly believes in the importance of an athlete’s behaviors and actions both on and off of the court,” Delle Donne said. “Throughout my career, I was constantly aware of the leadership position that comes along with being a student-athlete and strived to be a role model in the classroom, in the community and on the basketball court. It is important for all athletes to remember that their roles and responsibilities extend well beyond the courts and fields on which they compete.”

A human services major with a 3.63 grade point average, Delle Donne has twice been named the recipient of the Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year award. Delle Donne is active in many team community service activities, including visits to A.I. duPont Children’s Hospital and working with Delaware Special Olympics.

“Elena is an outstanding representative of the University of Delaware in so many ways that go beyond her athletic talents,” coach Tina Martin said. “She has worked hard both on and off the court and has become a true leader of our team. I am proud that she is such an outstanding role model to so many young people and we are so happy to see her receive this prestigious honor.”

Delle Donne, a four-time All-American and three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, led the Blue Hens to a 32-4 overall record this season with back-to-back CAA titles. She ranked second in the nation with 26 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in eight games this season. She holds CAA career records for points, field goals, free throws, and blocks and is the fifth leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,039 points.

“Elena has been a force to be reckoned with in women’s basketball her entire career at Delaware,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “But her selflessness and genuine capacity to treat everyone with respect and dignity off the court are what has made her stand out to college basketball fans across the country.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s basketball coaches, national basketball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s basketball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I’m humbled by this honor,” said Hulls. “It was a dream come true to represent Indiana University on the basketball court, and I was so fortunate to have great teammates, coaches and support staff who brought the best out in me every day either in the classroom or on the court.”

During his career, Hulls has been recognized as an Academic All-American and is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.  After completing his bachelor of science in kinesiology in three years, the Bloomington, Ind., native will complete his athletic administration master’s program in August. While in college, Hulls worked to help people become more physically fit. He worked with patients recovering from cardiac issues and also encouraged faculty members in need of beginning a healthy lifestyle.

“Jordan is everything you want a student-athlete to be and more,” said IU Coach Tom Crean. “His impact on our program will last a lifetime and we are thrilled that he is being honored for his outstanding accomplishments on and off the court.”

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hulls ranked second in the conference in three-point shooting percentage at 45 percent. Indiana finished the 2012-13 regular season ranked fourth in the Associated Press poll and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Hulls has played more games than any other player in Indiana University history, passing the 133-game record held by Randy Wittman and Jeff Newton.

“Jordan has played an integral part in Indiana basketball’s resurgence during his career,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “He’s also been instrumental in helping others in the Bloomington community. He’s a great example of a student-athlete who cares deeply about his school and community and gives back in meaningful ways.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through May 13. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Women’s College World Series® in Oklahoma City May 30 through June 5.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 20 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through May 13. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Lacrosse Championships in Philadelphia May 25-27.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2013 candidate class includes 15 candidates who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Five were named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American team, and four were All-Americans.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA College World Series® in Omaha June 15-26.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2013 candidate class includes 15 candidates who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Six were named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American team, and seven were members of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America team.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Women’s College World Series® in Oklahoma City May 30 through June 5.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2013 candidate class includes six candidates who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. One candidate was named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American At-Large team, and eight were members of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-America team.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Lacrosse Championships in Philadelphia May 25-27.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School,® the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 20 candidates announced in November. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through March 25. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four® in Pittsburgh April 11 and 13.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School,® the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 men’s candidates and 30 women’s candidates announced in October. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through March 25. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The men’s Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Final Four® in Atlanta April 6 and 8, while the women’s winner will be announced during the NCAA Women’s Final Four® in New Orleans April 7 and 9.

So, taking up where Dani left off and making an immediate impact on the Husker volleyball team – no problem, right?

Wrong.

The most decorated high school volleyball player in the state of Nebraska and the national player of the year had to wait her turn. And if that doesn’t sum up the difference between being a freshman and a senior, not much does.

Mancuso made four starts as a freshman and five as a sophomore before breaking into the starting lineup for good as a junior. At the end of her junior season, Mancuso was a first-team All-American selection of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She followed that up with second-team all-American honors this season. The two-time unanimous all-Big Ten selection led the Huskers both years in kills, kills per set and service aces.

A marketing major, Mancuso has been a member of both the academic all-Big Ten team and CoSIDA Capital One academic all-district team. A two-year member of the school’s student-athlete advisory committee, she most recently served as its community outreach officer. Mancuso is a member of the Husker Connect mentoring program and is a motivational speaker for a local foster care.

Patience isn’t always the easiest thing for a teenager to practice. But as she earned her playing time on the court, Gina Mancuso stayed the course and made sure her four-year college career was legendary – not only in her family but also as part of the strong Husker volleyball program.

There was a stretch of time in early December – when he was on the awards circuit – that he wasn’t exactly sure what city he was in when he woke up each morning.

It’s all good though. That’s the world of a collegiate sports superstar – someone whose life became an open book at the start of the 2012 football season and has steadily engaged fans with the turn of every page right up to the national championship game.

A design major, Te’o’s story this year has been well documented. Despite staggering personal loss, Te’o has managed to inspire many people with his perseverance and strong faith.

Te’o captains a unit that is ranked first nationally in scoring defense. He was a unanimous first-team All-American and won seven different post-season awards, including the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards. Te’o led the team in tackles with 103 – his third straight season with more than 100 tackles. He is the third leading tackler in Notre Dame history. His seven interceptions this season is tied for third in the FBS.

In the community, Te’o has participated in the Irish Experience League, which brings South Bend youth to campus to take part in activities with the Notre Dame student-athletes. He regularly visits hospitals and homeless shelters and is active in his local church.

Te’o has been a mainstay for the Irish for four years. His quiet demeanor and selfless acts didn’t seem to get as much attention before this season, but the story he told this year through his actions and his example helped bring into sharper focus an inspiring young man.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I football coaches, national football media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I FBS football. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

A design major, Te’o’s story this year has been well documented. Despite personal loss, Te’o has managed to inspire many people with his perseverance and strong faith. In the community, he has participated in the Irish Experience League, which brings South Bend youth to campus to take part in activities with the Notre Dame student-athletes. He regularly visits hospitals and homeless shelters and is active in his local church.

Te’o captains a unit that is ranked first nationally in scoring defense. He was a unanimous first-team All-American and won seven different post-season awards, including the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Te’o led the team in tackles with 103 – his third straight season with more than 100 tackles. He is third on the career tackles chart for Notre Dame. His seven interceptions this season is tied for third in the FBS.

“Manti has used his strong faith and personality to win many fans and followers during this outstanding senior season at Notre Dame,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “He has remained true not only to the school for four years but also to his own beliefs about being a leader and his convictions about helping others.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I volleyball coaches, national volleyball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I volleyball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“It is an honor to be named the winner of the Senior CLASS Award,” Mancuso said. “It is truly a blessing and is a reflection of all the people who have had an influence on my life and have supported me along the way, including my family, friends, coaches, teammates and teachers. I would also like to thank all the fans around the country who showed their support by voting for me.”

A marketing major, Mancuso has been a member of the academic all-Big Ten team and was recently named a first-team CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American. A two-year member of the school’s student-athlete advisory committee, she most recently served as its community outreach officer. Mancuso is a member of the Husker Connect mentoring program and is a motivational speaker for a local foster care.

“Gina is not only an outstanding volleyball player, but a great person. She understands that there is more to life than volleyball,” Nebraska head coach John Cook said. “She is a standout student and has spent numerous hours giving back to the community. She has led our volleyball team this year and is deserving of this prestigious award.”

Mancuso is a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American and was a unanimous all-Big Ten team selection as a junior and senior. She led the Huskers with 428 kills (a 3.48 kill per set average) and 34 service aces this year.

“Gina is a great example of a high school superstar who waited patiently for her time to shine in college,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “With Nebraska’s great history of outstanding volleyball players, Gina had to earn her playing time. When she got her turn, she made the most of it by becoming another Husker volleyball legend.”

Jewell, a Satellite Beach, Fla., native, chose to stay close to home, enrolling at the University of Central Florida in Orlando – the ultimate American tourist destination. UCF boasts an enrollment of 60,000. McDuff, who grew up in Plano, Tex., decided to move 2,000 miles away, choosing to attend Brown University in Rhode Island – geographically, the country’s smallest state. Brown has an undergraduate enrollment of 6,000.

As the 2012 NCAA soccer season came to a close this fall, Jewell and McDuff had something important in common though – they were both winners of the Senior CLASS Award, recognizing them as the most outstanding NCAA Division I senior student-athletes in men’s and women’s soccer.

During her career, Jewell was recognized as an NSCAA/Adidas Collegiate Scholar All-American and UCF’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She carries a 3.75 grade point average and is pursuing two master’s degrees after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2011. As the lead volunteer at the Creative School for Children, a youth soccer coach, and a volunteer at The Haven for Children and the Women’s Center in Brevard, Jewell has recorded countless hours of community service.

During the 2012 regular season, Jewell led the team and conference in assists and captured UCF’s school record for career assists.  UCF finished the regular season with a 17-4-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the sixth consecutive year.  As a captain, Jewell helped UCF to its first conference tournament championship and to the team’s highest national ranking in the past two decades.

McDuff has a dual concentration in business, entrepreneurship and organizations and political science. He serves as the head teaching assistant for multiple management classes and is a peer advisor for Brown freshman students to help ease the transition from high school to college. He volunteers at Project GOAL, an organization focused on developing Rhode Island’s disadvantaged youth through after-school tutoring and soccer programs, and he works with Team Impact to match children facing life-threatening diseases with Brown athletic teams. 

As a team co-captain, McDuff led Brown’s stingy back line on a team whose shutout percentage ranked among the top in the country.  He helped his team to a record of 13-3-3 and its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.

Although their experiences were at vastly different universities, Jewell and McDuff can both say they made the most of their four-year careers as students, athletes and community servants.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I’m extremely humbled to be named the Senior CLASS Award winner and honored to be included in the conversation with such an accomplished group of candidates. Each fully embodies what being a ‘student-athlete’ is about, having done incredible things in the classroom, on the field, and in their surrounding communities,” McDuff said. “Thank you to all of the families, teachers, coaches, administrators and friends who have guided and supported the Senior CLASS candidates in our endeavors. It goes without saying that winning the Senior CLASS Award wouldn’t have been possible without all of my peers at Brown University who have sacrificed their time to build the projects and programs that we hope can continue to positively impact the student body and Providence community.”

McDuff, a Plano, Texas, native, has a dual concentration in business, entrepreneurship and organizations and political science. He serves as the head teaching assistant for multiple management classes and is a peer advisor for Brown freshman students to help ease the transition from high school to college. He volunteers at Project GOAL, an organization focused on developing Rhode Island’s disadvantaged youth through after-school tutoring and soccer programs, and he works with Team Impact to match children facing life-threatening diseases with Brown athletic teams. McDuff established the Bruno Relays, an event that raised money for families who have relatives with disabilities. He frequently works with the Providence Boys & Girls Club and is a regular speaker at a local elementary school.

“Ryan McDuff is an exemplary student-athlete. He is a great captain, teammate and competitor who is an outstanding representative for the Brown men’s soccer team. His selection as a Senior CLASS Award winner is well deserved,” head coach Patrick Laughlin said.

As a team co-captain, McDuff led Brown’s stingy back line on a team whose shutout percentage ranked among the top in the country.  He helped his team to a record of 13-3-3 and its fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.

“As a leader for both the Brown athletics department and the university, Ryan proves how important being involved is to a well rounded college experience,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “He is a great example of making the most of four years as a student-athlete.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I women’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women’s soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I want to thank all the people who supported me and voted for me during the season. I am very excited and honored to win this award,” Jewell said. “It represents not only my athletic career, but my life as a part of UCF and in the community. I am also honored to leave C-USA and UCF with this accomplishment.”
During her career, Jewell has been recognized as an NSCAA/Adidas Collegiate Scholar All-American and UCF’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The Satellite Beach, Fla., native carries a 3.75 grade point average and is pursuing two master’s degrees after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2011. She was also named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District IV first team and is a two-time member of the Conference USA All-Academic first team.  As the lead volunteer at the Creative School for Children, a youth soccer coach, and a volunteer at The Haven for Children and the Women’s Center in Brevard, Jewell has recorded countless hours of community service.

“This award is very prestigious, and it is awesome that it recognizes student-athletes not only in their achievements on the field, but off the field as well,” UCF head coach Amanda Cromwell said. “Tishia’s academics and contributions to society have been a relevant part of her experience here at UCF. Compared to a lot of student-athletes around the country, she set herself apart, but she was in great company with the list of finalists. We are very proud of her. It’s a very special award for a special student-athlete.”

Jewell has been an NSCAA All-American and a two-time All-Central Region selection. She was Soccer America’s Most Valuable Player as a junior.  Jewell has been a force in C-USA as a three-time all-conference honoree and an offensive player of the year.  During the 2012 regular season, Jewell led the team and conference in assists and captured UCF’s school record for career assists.  UCF finished the regular season with a 17-4-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the sixth consecutive year.  As a captain, Jewell helped UCF to its first conference tournament championship and to the team’s highest national ranking in the past two decades.

“We have many outstanding candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. It’s truly incredible how well rounded women’s soccer players across the nation are, so it takes a special student-athlete to stand out among that group,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “Tishia had a fantastic career on and off the field. She is a deserving winner of this award.”

In the possibility of playing in Germany, Brooks is taking German 101 this semester.

Given her leadership abilities, Brooks has captained many teams along the way, including the high school, college, the U-17 and U-23 levels.
“I usually started out younger and if I do well I stick with the team . . . and become one of the more experienced players, I have landed the captaincy,” she said. “Once I get comfortable with the coach and the players, a kind of a natural leadership takes place. I’m more of a vocal person. I have no problem giving direction on the field. So I think it’s my natural tendencies of being a leader arise. Luckily, my teammates and coaches have seen leadership qualities in me.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2012-13 candidate class includes six candidates who have cumulative grade point averages above 3.5. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four® in Pittsburgh April 11 and 13.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. 


Bergsma has been nominated as one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award. The honor recognizes Division I women’s volleyball athletes who not only put up big numbers at the net, but also excel in the classroom and donate a considerable amount of their free time to community service endeavors. The winner of the award, which stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, is someone who exemplifies all of these characteristics.

In addition to her position as leader on the court, Bergsma has another title that may not show up on her volleyball resume – she is also the reigning Miss Oregon USA 2012. She competed in the Miss USA Pageant in June and left her mark as the tallest contestant in pageant history.

“I try to approach pageants the same way as sports,” Bergsma said, noting that in both competitive settings, it all comes down to confidence. “After I won [Miss Oregon] I really embraced it. It is two completely different platforms and I’m breaking a stereotype. Thankfully, my coaches and the media department decided to embrace it too.”

The Chandler, Ariz., native is studying business administration with a focus in sports business, and has been a solid student throughout her collegiate career. She earned Pac-12 All-Academic Second-Team honors in 2011 and has toyed with the idea of going to law school. Engaged to professional basketball player Kevin Coble, who is currently playing oversees, Bergsma said she is excited to continue her volleyball career for as long as possible, and would ultimately like to stay in the sports world in some capacity.

“I’m enjoying [my senior year]. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and just play,” she said. “It’s definitely my last chance to do some pretty cool things, and I’m loving that.”

Finding slivers of time between games, practice, and school, Bergsma has fulfilled more than 100 community service hours over the past year. She has used both her platforms as a collegiate athlete and Miss Oregon to dedicate hours to the Oregon Children’s Miracle Network, commit to speaking engagements at local county fairs, coach open gym volleyball at South Eugene High School, and help with a fundraiser for Oregon Medical Group, among other activities.

“My favorite part by far is getting to talk to people,” Bergsma said of her community service work. “Some of the most touching [moments] was talking to some middle schoolers about self-image and encouraging them to embrace what they’re given. I struggled being tall, even though I loved it for sports, it was tough in junior high being taller than everyone.

“I’ve had so many more opportunities because I’m not only Miss Oregon, I’m also a student-athlete. People get so excited that I can come and talk on a lot of different platforms. I feel like Oregon really embraced me.”

Although she is not planning to continue with pageantry, Bergsma said the experience has been phenomenal and has added diversity to her life. Her competitive nature, which has carried her through her volleyball career and into a remarkable 2012 season with the Ducks, has never been stronger.

“Going into a competition, if I’m going to win, I want to compete against everyone when they’re at their best.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2012-13 candidate classes include seven men’s players and seven women’s players who were recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America as 2012 Capital One Academic All-Americans. Five men and 10 women were Associated Press All-Americans. Twenty men’s candidates and 18 women’s candidates have cumulative grade point averages above 3.0. The men’s Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Final Four® in Atlanta April 6 and 8, while the women’s winner will be announced during the NCAA Women’s Final Four® in New Orleans April 7 and 9.

The candidate classes will be narrowed to 10 men’s and 10 women’s finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one men’s finalist and one women’s finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. 


Well, the Colorado native and already-graduated senior has gotten part of his wish.

With the 2012 season set to hit its November stretch run, the Wildcats are flying as high as ever, ranked No. 4 in the country and squarely in the hunt for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

That anonymity thing? Not working out so well for the 6-foot-5, 226-pound QB.

In fact, quite the opposite is true.
                   
Not only is Klein the face of K-State’s program and the second wave of resurgence under coach Bill Snyder, the Wildcats signal-caller and Senior CLASS Award candidate has surged to the front of the line of Heisman Trophy candidates.

Seems that’s what happens when you rack up 364 yards and have a hand in seven touchdowns against West Virginia and have accounted for roughly 67% of your team’s total offense.

Now Klein is one of the more recognizable faces in the country, to the point where ESPN has tagged him with the nickname ‘Optimus Klein,’ a play off a primary character from the movie ‘Transformers.’

As cool as all of that sounds, it seems almost overwhelming to the finance major who is just as content playing the piano, mandolin or violin as he is watching Sports Center. 

“It’s surreal for me to even think about myself in terms of the Heisman Trophy when you think of all the guys who have won it,” Klein said.
Turns out Klein could’ve just as well have said it’s hard for him to think about himself to describe what he’s done off the field in Manhattan and back home in Loveland, Colo.

Yeah, the football statistics are eye-catching: 1,948 total yards, 14 rushing touchdowns (tied for the Big 12 Conference lead), 10 passing TDs and only two interceptions. And of course the Cats’ 7-0 record is the most important number to him.

Peel away some of the layers, though, and there’s a lot more to Klein than what you see in his No. 7 jersey on Saturdays.

For all the hours Klein spends on the football field preparing, the Wildcats’ three-year captain devotes that many or more to giving back.

Whether it’s FCA meetings, reading to local school children, helping organize charities in conjunction with Adopt-a-Family or lending a hand with Special Olympics, Klein is around somewhere – this time in the background where he wants to be and not on center stage.

“There’s a feeling that you can get when you help other people that’s just amazing,” Klein said. “Sometimes it’s the most amazing feeling when it costs you the most. That’s not something I always understand as a human but I accept because of my Christian beliefs.

“The feeling that you’ve made a difference in somebody’s life is so rewarding because to me it feels like they gave me more than I gave them.

That kind of thinking meshes well with Snyder, the longtime coach who is credited with bringing the Wildcats to life after he arrived in 1988 and reviving the magic the last few seasons.

Klein came to K-State when former coach Ron Prince was running the show, but there was never a question about whether he’d stay after his first meeting with Snyder.

“Coach’s heart is to help other people, and right there is a huge connection that I feel to him and what this program is all about,” Klein said. “I knew it when I got to K-State, that there was no doubt that people are amazing here. They truly want to help you and that fits with how I want to live.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in September. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through November 26. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will take place December 13 and 15 in Louisville, Kentucky.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in September. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through December 3. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2012-13 bowl season.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 men’s candidates and 30 women’s candidates announced in September. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through November 19. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cup® championships. The Women’s College Cup will take place November 30 and December 2 in San Diego, while the Men’s College Cup will take place December 7 and 9 in Hoover, Ala.

And now it’s time to start it all over again.

Four candidate classes have been announced for the fall - men’s soccer, women’s soccer, football and volleyball. Thirty-eight all-Americans. More than 70 grade point averages above 3.0. Team captains. Student leaders. Countless hours of community service.

One of the great benefits of being involved with the Senior CLASS Award program is first reading the outstanding nominations from sports information directors all over the country, then seeing those nominations turn into candidates and finalists before finally meeting the winners in 10 Division I sports and recognizing them at various championships as the nation’s most outstanding senior student-athletes in those sports.

The Senior CLASS Award program is strong. It will continue the great tradition of recognizing young men and women who strive to be excellent in the classroom and on the field of competition while also serving the communities in which they live and go to school. The names change but the stories continue to be bigger than life. It’s a great thing to be part of and an exciting tradition that has grown over 11 years. If you want positive stories about great human beings, the Senior CLASS Award is where it’s at. Enjoy the season!

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2012 candidate class includes 16 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans from last season. Twenty-four of the 30 candidates have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. One of the candidates was recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America as a 2011 Capital One Academic All-American. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship, which will take place December 13 and 15 in Louisville, Kentucky.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplify excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2012 candidate class includes eight All-Americans from last season. Sixteen of the 30 candidates have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. Four of the candidates were recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America as 2011 Capital One Academic All-Americans. Twenty-four student-athletes play for teams that participated in a bowl game last season. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2012-13 bowl season.

The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplify excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. 


An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The 2012 candidate class includes 14 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Americans from last season. More than half of the 60 have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better. Seven of the candidates were recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America as 2011 Capital One Academic All-Americans. Five student-athletes participated in the 2011 NCAA Men’s or Women’s College Cups®. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cup championships. The Women’s College Cup will take place November 30 and December 2 in San Diego, while the Men’s College Cup will take place December 7 and 9 in Hoover, Ala.

Each of the 30 candidate classes will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplify excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

Brian Holt, Creighton, Men’s Soccer: “It is important to value personal character, academic success and community involvement of athletes as well as their athletic accomplishments, and the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award does just that.”

Lizzy Simonin, Memphis, Women’s Soccer: “This award speaks volumes of what this program, university and city are about. Winning the Senior CLASS Award is a huge honor itself, but the belief from everyone around me has surpassed the importance of this award.

Kanani Danielson, Hawaii, Volleyball: “It’s an honor to be selected out of the many student-athletes that were recognized. Much credit goes out to those who have helped me on this amazing volleyball voyage.

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, Football: “This award represents its namesake – class – and anytime you’re associated with something that talks about class, integrity and character, it’s very humbling. To even be in the running for this award, with all of the other amazing student-athletes in this country and their impressive accomplishments and credentials, is very special.”

Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Stanford, Women’s Basketball: “Character is a quality that is constant and unchangeable across a lifetime. If you have character, it’s represented by strong values.”

Robbie Hummel, Purdue, Men’s Basketball: “I’ve always tried to do things the right way and be a good guy. Coach Painter tells us that the air will eventually come out of the ball and how we conduct ourselves on and off the court is extremely important.”

Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth, Hockey: “Winning the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award means a lot to me and the UMD hockey program. I always try to do my best in everything that I do whether it be hockey, school or helping out in the community. I am truly honored and proud to receive this prestigious award.”

CJ Costabile, Duke, Lacrosse: “To be nominated alone for this award is really an honor, but to actually win the award is surreal. To be recognized athletically, academically and for character is really a tremendous honor.”

Valerie Arioto, California, Softball: “While I have enjoyed my softball accomplishments and will never forget my experiences with my teammates, it’s giving back to my community and the degree I received from the University of California that mean so much to me.”

James Ramsey, Florida State, Baseball: “Coming back for my senior year was more than a baseball decision. All I have been trying to do during my time as a student-athlete is to be a good steward of what I have been given, to make sure that I am able to give back because one day all the memories will fade but the impact you are able to have on other people is what will hopefully last forever.”

“I cannot say that I’ve had anybody like this in the program,” Martin said. “Buster Posey was one of a kind. Buster was as good a leader as we’ve ever had in this program and will never be forgotten. And I’ve got to say that James Ramsey is a leader. Buster Posey would be very proud to call James Ramsey his teammate.”

That is about the highest compliment Martin can give a player. Ramsey meant as much to Florida State for his leadership skills as for his incredible offensive production. Factor in his superb academic track record and presence in the community, and Ramsey seems like the perfect choice as the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner.

“When you read a description of what that award symbolizes, you’re describing James Ramsey,” Martin said. “I’m very proud for him.”

Ramsey, in addition to putting up numbers big enough to earn him first-team All-America honors (.378/.513/.652 with 13 homers and 58 RBIs in 233 at-bats), is the consummate Seminole. That he turned down a signing bonus in excess of $500,000 as a 22nd-round pick by the Twins last year in order to return for his senior year is a testament to his love for his university, the baseball program and his academic development.

It would seem Ramsey was destined to become one of the great leaders in Florida State history. His mother, Mary, was a track star at Florida State. His father, Craig, was a captain on Martin’s first team—his 1980 College World Series team.

James is the captain for the team that delivered Martin his 1,700th career victory at Georgia Tech, and the first player in Florida State history to wear the letter “C” on his chest.

“I think my dad jokingly gives 11 (Martin) a hard time, saying, ‘Where was my C?’ ” Ramsey said.

“This guy,” Martin said, “is the epitome of a captain. I try not to talk too much about this guy, but it’s hard not to, when you have a rare breed on your club. He’s mentally tough, he’s physically tough, he’s the unquestioned leader of our club. A lot of people talk the talk. He walks the walk.”

Ramsey was a four-sport star at Wesleyan (Ga.) High—he played tennis as well as baseball during the spring—but baseball was always his passion. He was a standout student, a member of the National Honor Society, French honors society and math honors society, as well as president of the school’s spirit club and an active participant in student government.

When it came time to look for a college, Ramsey sought a balance of academics and athletics. He visited Yale, attended camps at Virginia, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, met with the coaches at North Carolina. But he said Tallahassee was where his heart was always pulling him.

At FSU, Ramsey was a finance major with minors in religion and real estate. He is a three-time recipient of the Golden Torch Award, given to the player with the highest GPA on the baseball team.

He is the president of two campus organizations, including one that he founded with former FSU quarterback Christian Ponder called Red Cross Noles, which trained and certified about 300 people in CPR last fall. He also has served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for two years.

“I think I operate at the most efficient level when I am the busiest,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey’s Christian faith is an important part of who he is, and he is most proud of the nation-wide listserv he started for Christian athletes to share messages of encouragement and inspiration with each other. One of the major reasons Ramsey decided to come back to school was that he takes seriously his position as a role model.

When Ramsey went to play for Yarmouth-Dennis in the Cape Cod League last summer, it took no time at all for Y-D coach Scott Pickler to recognize his unique makeup.

“When we took him in the summer, everybody said he plays really hard—it’s not false intensity, that’s the way he approaches the game,” Pickler said. “He approaches life that way and the game that way. He comes to play every day. He wants to win, and he’s a student of the game.”

Scouts were surprised last summer when Ramsey spurned the Twins to return to school, knowing he would lose leverage as a college senior and would likely fetch a much smaller bonus no matter how he performed.

“The Twins put a great baseball and financial opportunity in front of me that a lot of people wouldn’t blink at,” Ramsey said. “But I just felt like I had some unfinished business at Florida State. After my decision, I never looked back.

“But I’m going to do whatever it takes to be successful at the major league level. The sixth tool of makeup is more important than ever: having a guy that wins, has his head on straight, is a committed team guy. I’m the kind of guy you want leading your clubhouse—I’m going to play 110 percent every day, and nobody can doubt that.”

Ramsey has gotten immeasurably better as a player since arriving in Tallahassee four years ago as an infielder. He made the transition to right field, and this year to center, where he has a chance to stick. He’s not a blazing runner, but Martin said the Seminoles have timed him at quicker than 4.0 seconds to first base.

He also continued to take ground balls at second base, and Martin believes he could become a solid second baseman. He has solid power from the left side, though he doesn’t profile as a masher. But he has an innate ability to put the barrel on the ball, and he has worked hard to transform himself from a dead-pull hitter to somebody who can hit the ball hard the other way as well.

“He can grind out at-bats, he’s got speed, he can get on bases,” a National League crosschecker said. “He’s just a baseball rat. It seems like he’s starting to realize what type of player he is.”

His all-around package of tools and makeup has made Ramsey one of the great players in Florida State history. With his bloodlines, that fate seemed almost preordained—but it took an awful lot of hard work to make that destiny a reality.

And Ramsey was rewarded for his decision to come back for his senior year. The Cardinals drafted him in the first round—No. 23 overall.

Ramsey left his mark at Florida State, and he will no doubt leave a similar imprint in professional ball and everywhere else he goes in life. He’s the sort of person who makes life better for people around him. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award couldn’t have gone to a more worthy candidate.

“It’s a great award because I think it really looks at everything you do,” Ramsey said. “You have to be a very successful player, but then you also have to do a lot of things in the classroom and the community, with your faith. What it really says is a guy’s tapped into his potential. He’s tapped into his potential in all walks of life, and he’s trying to make a difference in college athletics. And that’s definitely me.”

“That’s someone that, even as a junior, I look up to,” FSU second baseman Devon Travis said. “He’s such a great guy, such a great teammate. He puts on a display of what college baseball’s all about.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I baseball head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I baseball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“As far as amateur athletics is concerned, there is always something more than what you are doing between the lines and that is something that I have always tried to pride myself on,” Ramsey said. “Coming back for my senior year was more than a baseball decision.  When you throw in the things off the field, it is a tremendous honor to be recognized as the most outstanding senior on and off the field.

“I feel extremely blessed just to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people in the city of Tallahassee as well as throughout the country.  All I have been trying to do during my time as a student-athlete is to be a good steward of what I have been given, to make sure that I am able to give back because one day all the memories will fade but the impact you are able to have on other people is what will hopefully last forever.”

Ramsey was recently selected as the Capital One Academic All-American of the year for baseball. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native has recorded a cumulative grade point average of 3.84 in finance. Through his leadership, the Seminoles baseball team improved its community service to 100 percent participation and won the athletic department’s Semi-Gnome Award, which is awarded to the team with the highest participation rate and largest improvement over one year.

Ramsey has been president of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council for two years and is a three-year member of the conference’s SAAC. He has logged more than 100 hours of community service in four years and serves as a mentor to two young children who are suffering from life-altering illnesses. In addition, he and former Florida State football player Christian Ponder formed the Red Cross Noles, helping make the school one of the most disaster-prepared universities in the nation.

“What this award represents is what James Ramsey is all about – a true leader, a caring individual, a man that truly makes those around him better,” head coach Mike Martin said. “Many people talk the talk, but very few walk the walk. James Ramsey is a complete student-athlete and a great American.”

Heading into College World Series competition, Ramsey led the Seminoles in runs scored, home runs, triples and on-base percentage. He was named the ACC’s player of the year and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 23rd overall pick of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.

“James is one of 10 extremely deserving finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award,” said David Geren, Lowe’s vice president of marketing. “We are proud to recognize great student-athletes for their leadership and involvement in all aspects of their collegiate careers.”

Last year, Arioto was at the WCWS, but she couldn’t play after suffering an injury in the spring of 2010 when she slid into second base, breaking a leg.  She simply had to watch from the dugout.

“At first, it hit me hard and I was pretty upset,” said Arioto.”But as time went by and I realized how much support and help I had, some of my worries went away.”

With Arioto sidelined after being named a first-team All-American (.355 batting average and a 1.43 ERA in the circle), some wondered how the Bears would do on the field without her.

“I knew this was going to test our team to see who else was going to step up and pick up the slack of Val not being there,” Cal Head Coach Diane Ninemire said. “We had so many hopes and dreams for her because of the value that she brings to this team in so many different ways. For any athlete who has an injury and high hopes, especially being a senior wanting to leave a legacy, I’m sure it was devastating for all. It was devastating for all of us.”

But Arioto made the most of the situation of her redshirt year, working on her conditioning and traveling with the team as if she was still a starter. She would help anyway she could, leading a cheer, offering advice to a teammate or even scorekeeping.

“Most of the season I couldn’t walk, but I tried to help out the coaches and girls when I could,” Arioto said.” With the talent and great girls we had last year, I didn’t really need to do much.”

“She found ways to participate and give that I don’t think she even realized she could,” Ninemire said of Arioto’s dedicated presence last year. “I think the whole experience, as bad as it was, ended up giving us a lot of good things.”

“It was physically hard recovering and rehabbing my leg, but I think it was more mentally challenging,” Arioto said. “I had a lot of support from my teammates and family, so I began to see my redshirt year as a learning experience. I think it helped me grow as a player and as a person!”

One of the more difficult parts of last year was when Cal made it to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series, a feat not achieved in Arioto’s time in Berkeley until this year. Yet, she couldn’t play and watched as the Bears went 1-2 in the WCWS and 45-13 overall in their 11th appearance in the event.  Not being on the field was difficult to say the least for the outgoing Arioto.

“It was definitely hard - I wanted to play so bad,” Arioto said of watching the postseason from the dugout. “But again, I got to see the game from a different perspective and learn a lot about the game, which a lot of players don’t get to do until they are done playing or coaching.”

After six months, she got back to full strength during the summer, including winning a pair of gold medals with the USA National Team, including hitting .438 and leading the team in RBI. She also posted an outstanding 1.063 slugging percentage in the World Cup of Softball and then was part of the USA team that won a gold medal in the Pan American Games in Mexico, driving in the go-ahead run en route to an 11-1 USA win. She hit .368 overall for the USA National Team in 24 of 26 games, scoring 19 runs and driving in 21.

“I had a great time playing this past summer,” Arioto recalled. “The coaching staff is the best and the girls on my team are the best in the world. I got to travel and play softball, not much could be better. I got to experience some once-in-a-lifetime things!”

After winning two gold medals during the summer, Arioto returned to Berkeley in January and made it through practice without suffering another injury. She has had an outstanding year now that she’s healthy again, helping the Bears to an impressive record and a No. 1 ranking heading into the World Series in Oklahoma City.

She was named the 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year and in California’s two wins over Arizona State to clinch the Pac-12 title, Arioto smashed a walk-off homer in the first game, then hurled a shutout in the second game, fanning 11.

Then, in the first game of the Super Regional against Washington, she went 2-for-3 with two RBI and hit homer in a 5-0 win over the Huskies while playing first base.

She’s one of the key reasons the Golden Bears entered the Series ranked No. 1 with a 56-5 record.

The first University of California player to win the Lowe’s CLASS Award, Arioto certainly has embodied the characteristics of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award-character, classroom, community and competition.

“The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award means a lot to me because it’s so encompassing,” said Arioto. “I’m honored to have been chosen by the fans and the committee with so many other gifted, intelligent and giving student-athletes in the same pool as me. I never could have gotten here without my coaches, family, friends and teammates.

“Redshirting last year gave me perspective. At first it was really hard, but my coaches, family, friends and teammates and the great training staff at Cal helped me through it. Not only am I really happy when I’m playing but I ‘m also a much more patient hitter.”

Arioto has already completed her degree requirements and majored in American Studies with an emphasis on social and cultural history of technology and entertainment with a GPA of 2.52. She was the Student-Athlete of the month in January of this year and is considering a career in the media, event planning or the media.

This summer she will resume playing for the USA National Team, then give pro fast pitch a try.

Besides the character she displayed by coming back from the injury, she has played an integral role in the team’s adopting of a little girl, Bebe, with pediatric cancer through the Friends of Jacyln, which is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. Arioto also has volunteered for Special Olympics, serving lunches to the homeless of San Francisco, sponsoring local families every Christmas and participated in multiple 5Ks in honor of former Cal student-athlete Jill Costello who passed away from lung cancer at 22.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I softball head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I softball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I am honored to have won the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. I am very grateful to have been included among so many other talented and giving student-athletes. This award means a lot to me because it’s not just about success on the field,” Arioto said. “While I have enjoyed my softball accomplishments and will never forget my experiences with my teammates, it’s giving back to my community and the degree I received from the University of California that mean so much to me. My family, coaches and teammates have been instrumental in all of my success – both on and off the field. I was floored by the fan support, and my team and I would not be where we are without their continued devotion.

Arioto has already completed the requirements for her degree in American studies. She concentrated in the social and cultural history of technology and entertainment and is considering a career in media, event planning or marketing. Arioto has played an integral role in her team’s adoption of a young girl through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors. In addition, she has volunteered for Special Olympics, served lunches to San Francisco’s homeless, sponsored local families at Christmas and participated in races to honor former Cal student-athlete Jill Costello, who passed away from lung cancer at 22.

“Valerie is a tremendous person. Not only is she an outstanding softball player, but she’s also a leader and a team player at the University of California and in her community,” California head coach Diane Ninemire said. “She took it upon herself to collect thousands of toiletries to donate to those less fortunate and has always been very giving to others. She’s a tenacious competitor on the field. She works all year round to be the best hitter, the best pitcher and the best fielder. Whatever Val does, she does it 110 percent the right way.”

After sitting out last season with a broken leg, Arioto has returned to the Cal lineup to lead the Bears to the nation’s top regular-season ranking and a No. 1 overall seed heading into the NCAA Division I Women’s Softball Championship. She has already set the school and Pac-12 Conference single-season marks with 22 home runs. Through the regular season, Arioto has a 1.22 earned-run average and a 20-2 record as a pitcher while leading the squad in runs scored, runs batted in and home runs.

“The student-athletes selected as finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award show great determination and perseverance in everything they do both on and off the field,” said David Geren, Lowe’s vice president of marketing. “Valerie is a great representative of this award and of student-athletes across the country.”

By all available indicators Costabile has established a decorated career in men’s lacrosse. To wit: He’s been named a four-time USILA All-American and this year was the recipient of the 2012 Lt. Donald McLaughlin, Jr. Award as the nation’s most outstanding midfielder. He’s also a 2012 Tewaaraton finalist.

Stat-wise, he’s posted a .531 career face-off percentage, 368 career groundballs and 65 career caused turnovers heading into the 2012 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse final four.

The Connecticut native’s resume is stout. All those accolades, however, stand in the shadow of Costabile’s six second, career-defining moment.

Flash back to final four weekend of the 2010 NCAA tournament, held in Baltimore. Duke and Notre Dame have finished regulation tied 5-5 in the national championship game. Next goal wins.

Costabile was lined up for the face-off.  After quick push forward with his defensive longpole, he scooped up the the ball, drove the middle of the field and fired a top shelf shot over Notre Dame All-American goalie Scotty Rodgers.

Boom, six seconds, game over. In a moment, Costabile secured Duke’s first ever NCAA national championship, and helped create a new narrative after previous championship weekend losses.

“I was so happy to have those seniors walk off with their head up high,” says Costabile, reflecting back on the 2010 championship moment. “Those guys had been through some tough stuff going back to ’06. Three final fours they were unsuccessful. It was great to give those guys what they deserve.”

Costabile grew up in talent-rich Connecticut and tutored under some of the best minds in the state. He played for New Fairfield high school, winning a state championship as a senior. He was named both a Top 10 recruit by Inside Lacrosse in 2008 and made the U-19 U.S. National team. 

At Duke, Costabile gradually developed into a jack-of-all-trades with defensive longpole. He could face-off deftly. He could play the wing and snag groundballs. In the transition game, he learned how to be a scoring threat. And, through the years, he also learned just what type of leadership skills he could bring to the team, first tutoring under the older players then learning through his own chances as a senior.

“I’m not a vocal guy,” says Constabile. “I never really have been. The best thing I could do is lead as example through my play, putting guys in the right spots, and vice versa. The guys build off that, and they motivate me that way. Duke has a great tradition of senior leadership and everyone in the senior class, if they step on the field or not, helps to assist the underclassmen.”

Costabile’s leadership style emulates Duke’s approach to leadership and community outreach. The team quietly does work with the local Ronald McDonald House and the Children’s Hospital in Durham. They also teach the game to the growing North Carolina lacrosse playing population. “We’re really blessed with the community that supports us,” says Costabile.

A graduating senior, Costabile is looking to possibly start a career in an alternative investment firm this summer. Also a top professional lacrosse prospect, Costabile was drafted by the Bayhawks but recently traded to the Long Island Lizards.

There are other long-term decisions to make. Six seconds may define his collegiate career, but Costabile also doesn’t mind looking at the long-term, as long as lacrosse is involved somehow.

“I’ll just keep on keeping on,” says Costabile of his future. “Maybe I’ll start a bunch of lacrosse camps. I’ll always be a lax rat.”

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s lacrosse head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“To be nominated alone for this award is really an honor,” Costabile said. “But to actually win the award is surreal. To be recognized athletically, academically and for character is really a tremendous honor.”

Costabile is an All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic team selection and conference honor roll member. He graduates this month with a degree in history. In the community, Costabile and his teammates make dinner for families at a local Ronald McDonald house once a month. He also volunteers at Duke Children’s Hospital and for various other Durham, N.C., charities.

“This is a great honor, not only for CJ, but for the entire Duke lacrosse program,” head coach John Danowski said. “CJ is a great young man and is just one of many outstanding men who have come through our program. He has shown great dedication not only on the field, but also in the classroom as well as in our many community service projects. It’s fantastic that he is being recognized.”

This season, Costabile led the Blue Devils to their second Atlantic Coast Conference title in four years. He is the school’s career leader in ground balls and tops the ACC in that category. He was named the conference’s co-defensive player of the year and was recently announced as one of five finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, which recognizes the nation’s top lacrosse player. The Blue Devils entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 3 overall seed.

“Lowe’s is proud to recognize CJ as the Senior CLASS Award winner,” said David Geren, Lowe’s vice president of marketing. “All of these student-athletes should not only be proud of being excellent students but of being good role models and serving their communities. That’s what differentiates these student-athletes from others.”

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award website through June 11. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I men’s head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award® winner during the 2012 NCAA College World Series®, which will be held June 15-26 in Omaha.

Jack Connolly has always taken a bit of a different approach to sports – hockey, in particular. For the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner, heading to the rink to chase a puck up and down a sheet of ice was always about family and community.

As a kid growing up in Duluth, Minn., Jack and his older brother Chris became the first generation of Connollys to take to hockey – a sport definitely ingrained as part of life in Minnesota. Neither of their parents had played the game, but together the brothers found a way they could play together and pass the long winter afternoons and evenings, at a rink in their neighborhood, not far from the shore of Lake Superior.

“I remember some of my friends had backyard rinks that their dad made with some plywood and floodlights. That’s really where you develop a passion for the game. I’m a big believer that if you don’t have a passion for the game you’re not going to make it very far or be very successful. That’s something Jack has always had,” Chris said. “He’s a true rink rat out there who enjoys the game. The Duluth community is a big reason for that. Duluth is such a big hockey community and it’s great for us. He’s been happy to give back because Duluth has given both of us so much.”

A decade or so after those days where one would have to drag the boys off the ice some nights, their college hockey careers ended within 24 hours of one another, but not before both brought an impressive array of hardware home to Duluth.

The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award seems tailor-made for a player, and person like Jack Connolly, as it recognizes accomplishments in the classroom, community, in competition and in character. While maintaining a high grade-point average en route to a degree in communication, Jack helped lead the University of Minnesota Duluth to its first NCAA men’s hockey title in 2011. In doing so, he equaled a feat his brother had accomplished just two years earlier.

As a freshman at Boston University, Chris was a member of the Terriers team that captured the 2009 NCAA title. Unable to get to Washington, D.C., for the title game due to school commitments, Jack instead organized a viewing party among friends in Duluth and cheered like wild when his brother’s team took home the crown with an overtime win over Miami (Ohio).

Two years later, Chris and the Connolly parents were in attendance in St. Paul, Minn., to see the Bulldogs take powerful Michigan to overtime, then get the decisive goal as the little school from the Connollys’ hometown stood atop the college hockey world.

While both brothers saw their college hockey careers end short of another NCAA Frozen Four trip this past March, Jack’s accolades were far from finished. At the Frozen Four in Tampa, Fla., in April, he was presented with the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award during the NCAA semifinal games at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. One day later, Jack made history, becoming the first college hockey player to win both the Lowe’s award and the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which goes annually to the nation’s best player.

Jack and Chris posed side-by-side with the trophies, both showing off their diamond-encrusted national championship rings, and fondly recalling a supportive brotherly relationship that helped the two of them thrive in sports and in life.

“We’re very similar people, both on and off the ice,” Jack said. “There was never a huge competition between us or anything. I never felt competition or the need to work harder to catch up with him or vice-versa, so that worked our well for everyone. We have a relationship that doesn’t involve a whole lot of animosity.”

It’s that complimentary nature that helped Jack succeed in college hockey despite his average size in a game where dominant players are seemingly getting bigger every year. As a junior, Jack was paired with Mike Connolly (no relation) and Justin Fontaine on the Bulldogs’ renowned “FCC line” and the trio played a huge role in the team’s run to the title. One of the lasting images of the Bulldogs’ postgame celebration was Jack, with a bushy playoff beard, hoisting the national championship trophy as tears of joy rolled down his cheeks.
As a senior, with two new linemates, Jack’s game didn’t slip a bit, as he notched an impressive 60 points in just 41 games and helped the Bulldogs to the top ranking in the nation for much of the season.

“He’s one of the ultimate team players. This year he lost his two linemates, both of whom signed pro contracts. So he played with different guys all year, and you look at the numbers of some of the guys he played with,” said Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin. “Look at their point production and you see what kind of player he is. He makes everyone around him better, and the guys love him in the dressing room, with his personality, and the kind of kid he is.”

That kind of impact was certainly not a new thing for Jack, who has been making an impression on folks with his work on the ice since he was just a child. As a 12-year-old, one of Jack’s coaches was Bill Watson, who won the Hobey for Minnesota Duluth in 1985 and played several years of NHL hockey.

“It’s been so much fun to be a part of this,” said Watson, now an assistant coach with the Bulldogs. “When I first met Jack he was little, just a peewee, but when he stepped on the ice he was one of the most unique guys. It was one of those things where you get on the ice with someone for the first time and you can just feel that impact that they have as a player.”

And those who know him best say that impact is definitely not limited to what he does on the ice or in the classroom.

“He gives back in any way he can, whether that’s going out and skating with kids, or getting involved in charities, helping out at the hospitals, whatever that may be,” Chris said. “It’s also a little different because he’s a Duluth native, so some of those kids have known him since before he was in high school. I know it means a lot for him to give back, and a lot of kids picture Jack as a role model, so it’s not just his on-ice accomplishments. He enjoys giving back to Duluth.”

The Connolly brothers’ game has evolved from the neighborhood rinks in Duluth to the biggest stages of college hockey and now to the professional hockey ranks. A few days after the Frozen Four, Jack signed a two-year contract with Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League, and will soon play hockey for a paycheck at the highest level in Europe.

But his roots in the game will always be in Duluth, skating with his brother, growing together and working toward a day when they’d both bring glory to their family and to their hometown. That lifetime of work on the rink, in the community and in the classroom, makes Jack Connolly a fitting recipient of the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

By KIRK WESSLER

Of the four C’s at the heart of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, one serves as the foundation for the rest.  Character underpins everything.  Almost by definition, individuals of high Character perform well in the Classroom and in athletic Competition, and are inclined to Community service.

“It would be much more difficult to achieve those things without good character,” Nnemkadi Ogwumike says.  “Character is a quality that is constant and unchangeable across a lifetime.  If you have strong character, it’s represented by strong values.”

Ogwumike, all-American and three-time team captain at Stanford, is the winner of the 2012 award in women’s basketball.  Robbie Hummel, the only four-time captain in Purdue basketball history, is the men’s award winner.  It would be hard to find two better examples of character than this pair, so respected by their teammates and coaches they spent almost their entire careers as team leaders.

Stanford reached the NCAA Final Four all four years Ogwumike was on the team.  She is only the fourth player in Cardinal history to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career.  But talent is only part of the equation.

“There’s a lot more to her than her basketball skill,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer says.  “Her leadership is outstanding. She’s the oldest of four sisters, and that carries over here.  She’s like an older sister to everybody on our team.”

Now, we can see the talent and the leadership qualities of these young people on the court.  What we don’t see are the sacrifices they make every day.  The neat thing is that Ogwumike and Hummel, outstanding performers who are also outstanding individuals, aren’t inclined to define their lives in terms of sacrifices.  Theirs are simply life choices – to achieve, to lead, to reach out and help others – that stem from a personal code which defines their character.

“As student-athletes, we’re involved in more than just sports and school,” Ogwumike says.  “When it comes to social activities, those come with peer pressure, and it can be tempting to take the shortcut and not stick to the course.  But it’s all about being the bigger person, doing the right thing even knowing you’re the only one who will know if you don’t.”

Great character is a quality critical to overcoming adversity, and few college athletes have overcome more than Hummel.

As a sophomore at Purdue, Hummel suffered a fractured vertebrae and wound up playing in a restrictive brace.  As a junior, he tore the ACL in his right knee just as the Boilermakers were rounding into championship form.  After intensive rehab, Hummel returned to action the next fall, only to re-tear the ligament on the first day of practice, forcing him to redshirt.  After more surgery and rehab, he came back this season to lead Purdue in scoring and rebounding and a near-upset of eventual national runner-up Kansas in the NCAA tournament.

“When adversity sets in, he’s got a great knack for not making excuses and continuing to fight,” Purdue coach Matt Painter says.  “He could’ve played the why-me game, but he didn’t.  He does a great job of leading by example.  We all know what the right thing is to do, but to continue to do it every day when it’s difficult … Robbie is a great example of that.”

Hummel, a young man of few words who especially doesn’t like talking about himself, attributes his character to the “sound foundation” built by his parents.  Whether it’s working on his game, excelling in the classroom, signing autographs for every kid who approaches him, or giving his free time to a list of charitable community concerns, Hummel lives by a simple credo: “If you treat people well and do the right thing, you’re gonna be OK.”

One more thing about great character: It can’t be faked.  Certainly not for an entire career.

“Nneka is real,” VanDerveer says of Ogwumike.  “She’s authentic. She’s not trying to be anything she’s not.”  And Painter says this of Hummel: “He won this award by being himself.”

That’s the character of class.

The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s ice hockey head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“Winning the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award means a lot to me and the UMD hockey program,” Connolly said. “I always try to do my best in everything that I do whether it be hockey, school or helping out in the community. I am truly honored and proud to receive this prestigious award.”

A three-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic team pick, Connolly is scheduled to graduate this spring with a degree in communication. During his college career, he interned in the UMD sports information office and wrote a blog for the department’s website. Throughout his years on campus, Connolly has volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth, the Pucks for Poverty Program, the Northern Lights Foundation, the Adopt-A-Highway Program and various cancer fundraisers.

“’Class’ is one of the best ways to describe Jack Connolly, so this is certainly a fitting and well deserved honor for him,” head coach Scott Sandelin said. “Everything he does – on and off the ice – he does with class.  I really can’t say enough about what this young man has meant to our program, our school and our community over the past four years.”

On the ice, the three-time All-American and team captain has ranked among the NCAA’s leaders in scoring and assists and has been a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award for each of the past two seasons. After a seven-year absence, the UMD Bulldogs made it back to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2011, winning the national championship with an overtime victory against Michigan.

“Jack Connolly got to realize his dream of playing hockey for his hometown university,” said David Geren, Lowe’s vice president of marketing. “Because of all he has done in the classroom, on the ice and in the community, he has truly lived the dream to its fullest. Lowe’s salutes Jack for his dedication to the university and the entire city of Duluth.”