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