Williams Candidate for Women's Basketball's Senior CLASS Award
Nov. 19, 2002
EUGENE, Ore. - University of Oregon women's basketball guard Shaquala Williams was nominated for the second annual Senior CLASS Award.
The Senior CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award is presented to the nation's senior player of the year for NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball. The award was developed in response to the recent trend of college basketball players leaving school early to turn professional. The list of the women's 'Players to Watch' include players-five of them AP All-Americans last year-from 15 conferences.
Selection criteria is based on a number of factors, the most important being that the recipient must have exhausted their four years of eligibility and have fulfilled their commitment to their respective schools. In addition, the recipient must be working toward her degree, be in good academic standing and be of sound moral character.
The performances of the student-athletes will be tracked during the season. From the pool of 30 candidates, a national committee of sportscasters and sportswriters who cover Division I college basketball will select 10 finalists.
The names of these finalists will appear on the official ballot during the national voting process in March. The selection of the men's and women's award winner will be based on the cumulative ballots of the national media committee and Division I head coaches. The winner will be announced during the respective NCAA Final Four events in March.
Last year, Sue Bird (Connecticut) and Juan Dixon (Maryland) each won the award.
2002-03 Senior CLASS Award Nominees
Jordan Adams University of New MexicoChantelle Anderson Vanderbilt UniversityKristine Austgulen Virginia Commonwealth UniversityGunta Basko Siena UniversityTamara Bowie Ball State UniversitySyretta Bromfield Michigan State UniversityCoretta Brown University of North CarolinaCourtney Coleman Ohio State UniversityMolly Creamer Bucknell UniversityAngela Davidson Northwestern State UniversityTamika Dudley Long Island UniversityCrissy Floyd Clemson UniversityCheryl Ford Louisiana Tech UniversityCaton Hill University of OklahomaConstance Jinks UNLVTrish Juhline Villanova UniversityKara Lawson University of TennesseeSonja Mallory Georgia Tech UniversityAshley McElhiney Vanderbilt UniversityLoree Payne University of WashingtonJocelyn Penn University of South CarolinaAlicia Ratay University of Notre DameAyisha Smith Louisiana State UniversityKate Smith University of Nevada-RenoBrianne Stepherson Boston CollegeLaToya Thomas Mississippi State UniversityErin Thorn Brigham Young UniversityShaquala Williams University of OregonLindsey Wilson Iowa State UniversityKatie Wolfe Oakland University