Szalachowski named to Senior CLASS Award list
12/20/2008 6:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Senior Matt Szalachowski has been chosen as a candidate for the 2008-09 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, presented annually to an NCAA Division I student-athlete in nine sports. Szalachowski is one of 60 basketball players from around the country who was chosen (30 male and 30 female). Based on criteria focusing on the “Four C’s” of classroom, character, community and competition, the award winners will be selected by national balloting of head basketball coaches, national media and college basketball fans. Lowe’s, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will present the winners with trophies during the weekends of the respective NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four.
A two-time captain for the Mountain Hawks, Szalachowski has appeared in over 80 games during his Lehigh career, including all nine this season. He registered a career-high three steals in Lehigh’s season opener versus Saint Peter’s and is averaging over 11 minutes per contest.
A member of the Dean’s List and Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Szalachowski earned a spot on the 2008 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honor Roll, which recognizes basketball student-athletes who excel in academics.
Szalachowski started 28 of Lehigh’s 29 games during the 2007-08 season, averaging 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in that time. He scored a career-high 14 points on two occasions and handed out a career-best six assists versus Big Ten foe Penn State.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School (CLASS), the award was launched during the 2001-02 season to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remain committed to their university and pursue the many rewards that a senior season and complete college education brings. From each of the two lists of 30 nominees, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in February 2009. Those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote. In addition to voting by Division I head basketball coaches and national media, college basketball fans will also be able to submit ballots by text voting or on-line at www.seniorclassaward.com.
Szalachowski and his teammates return to the court on Sunday afternoon when they head to New Jersey to take on the Monmouth Hawks at Boylan Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 1:00 and all of the action can be heard live on 91.3 WLVR-FM as well as Lehighsports.com with Matt Kerr and Marty Horn ’86 providing the commentary.
