Pesony Candidate for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

Click here to view complete release as a PDF 

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Eight ECAC Hockey standouts, a total that ranks first among the six Division I men's hockey conferences, are among 20 NCAA men's hockey student-athletes named today as official candidates for the men's hockey division of the 2007-08 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

League candidates include Clarkson forward Nick Dodge; Colgate goaltender Mark Dekanich and forward Jesse Winchester; Cornell forward Topher Scott; Dartmouth forward Nick Johnson; Princeton forward Landis Stankievech, who recently was named a Rhodes Scholar; Rensselaer forward Jake Morissette; and St. Lawrence goaltender Justin Pesony.

The award - presented annually to the NCAA�� Division I Student-Athlete of the Year in eight sports - focuses on the "Four C's" of classroom, character, community and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched in 2001 to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who fulfill their entire athletic eligibility and pursue the many rewards of a senior season and complete college education. Since that time, Lowe's an official corporate partner of the NCAA®, has expanded the award to include other NCAA sports and it has developed into the nation's premier tribute to college seniors.

This marks the second year for the hockey division of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Notre Dame goaltender David Brown was the inaugural winner in 2006-07.

From the list of 20 nominees, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in late January 2008. Those ten names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote that will include coaches, media and fans. The award winner will be announced and recognized at the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four in Denver, CO.

"At Lowe's, we take pride in acknowledging hard work and outstanding accomplishments both on and off the court," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's senior vice president of marketing and advertising. "That commitment extends beyond our employees and customers and into the communities we serve where these studentathletes become real-life mentors. We're thrilled to honor each candidate's contributions and look forward to recognizing the award recipients at the Frozen Four."

Sportscaster Dick Enberg, Honorary Chairman 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.

Lowe's has expanded the Senior CLASS Award program in 2007 to include men's hockey, men's lacrosse, baseball, softball and men's and women's soccer.

ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: classroom, community, character and competition. 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. For more information, visit www.seniorclassaward.com.