March 27, 2009

Center Valley, Pa.-- Ten senior student-athletes who excel both on and off the field have been selected as finalists for the 2009 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in the Men's Lacrosse division. Included among the 10 finalists are two Patriot League scholar-athletes: Colgate's Brandon Corp and Navy's Andy Tormey. Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine the third annual winner, which will receive the award during the NCAA® Men's Lacrosse Championships in Foxboro, Mass.

The finalists were chosen from a list of 30 candidates based on qualities that define a complete student-athlete. These four primary areas of criteria include: classroom, community, character and competition.

Corp, a three-year letterwinner for Colgate, is currently the leading scorer in the nation averaging 4.71 points per game. As a junior he earned third team All-American honors and was selected by the league¹s coaches as the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. Corp led all Patriot League players with 56 points off of 41 goals and 15 assists in 2008. He is a three-time All-Patriot League selection, earning first-team recognition last two seasons and second-team honors as a rookie.

A 2009 Preseason Second-Team All-American and Navy's team captain, Tormey is a veteran member of Navy's defensive squad that has been ranked among the top three in the country every year he's been on the team, including 2006 when it led the country in scoring defense. Navy's lone returning starter off a unit that was ranked No. 3 in scoring defense (6.50) a year ago, Tormey has been the cornerstone of Navy's success on defense this season.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award has developed into the nation's premier tribute to college seniors. The award, which launched in 2001 with college basketball, is now in its third year for men's lacrosse.

The other 2009 finalists include: Matt Abbott, Syracuse; Jordan Burke, Brown; Michael Colleluori, Hofstra; Joel Dalgarno, Ohio State; Danny Glading, Virginia; Ryan Hoff, Notre Dame; Max Seibald, Cornell; and Grant Zimmerman, North Carolina. These 10 names will be placed on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award men's lacrosse ballot for a nationwide vote which will conclude May 7. Fan balloting, available on the award's official website http://www.seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award.

The 2009 award winner will be announced and presented with the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award trophy during festivities surrounding the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships, scheduled May 23-25. The Lowe's All-Senior All-America Team, based on final results of the balloting, will also be recognized.

The idea of an award to salute collegiate seniors was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The Senior CLASS Award was formed to honor senior student-athletes who fulfill their entire collegiate athletic eligibility, earn a college degree and give back to their community.

Lowe's, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, expanded the award in 2007 to include six other NCAA sports: men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse, baseball, softball, men's soccer and women's soccer. Football (Bowl Subdivision) was added in 2008 to bring the total sports affiliated with the award to nine.