The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Announces Addition of Women’s Volleyball to the Program in 2010
December 18, 2009
Download in PDF format(Tampa, FL) – Student-athletes participating in NCAA® Division I women’s volleyball will be recognized as part of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program beginning with the 2010 season.
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 award identifies personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete, with criteria including excellence in the classroom, outstanding character and community service in addition to competition on the field.
“We are excited that women’s volleyball will be added to the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program, especially as this is the program’s 10th anniversary season,” said NCAA senior vice president for championships Joni Comstock. “Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing and most popular sports at the youth and collegiate levels. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS program recognizes the best senior student-athletes in a variety of sports for their academic, athletic and community achievements, in addition to their strong character. Adding volleyball student-athletes is a natural fit for this outstanding program.”
The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards that a senior season can bring. Sportscaster Dick Enberg, honorary chair of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, first conceived the idea of an award for seniors in 2001 in response to the growing trend of men’s basketball players leaving school early for the NBA. The award program has expanded over the years to include football (bowl subdivision), men’s and women’s soccer, men’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball in addition to men’s and women’s basketball. The award is sponsored by Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, and managed by Premier Sports Management.
“We are thrilled that volleyball student-athletes will be recognized for their accomplishments in all facets of their collegiate careers,” said Kathy DeBoer, executive director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. “Besides being fantastic athletes and competitors, our student-athletes are extremely active in their communities and have always been high achievers in the classroom.”
The award winner is chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I coaches, national media and fans. The award presentation is made by Lowe’s typically in conjunction with the championship for each sport.
