Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award – CIAA Division Winners Announced During Lowe’s Day at 2011 CIAA Tournament

Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award – CIAA Division Winners Announced During Lowe’s Day at 2011 CIAA Tournament

Male and Female Winner from Virginia State University  

HAMPTON, VA (March 14, 2011) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Lowe’s announced the winners of the third annual CIAA Division of the prestigious Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program on Lowe’s Day during the 2011 CIAA Tournament. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the award program focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence.
 
The 2011 male winner - Christopher Washington - and female winner - Rhon’Neisha Taylor - are student-athletes from Virginia State University. This marks the first time in the history of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award – CIAA Division that both the male and female winners represent the same school.
 
“The CIAA is proud of our continued partnership with Lowe’s and its Senior CLASS Award program that recognizes our student-athletes,” said Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner.  “Our students are our future and it’s important to provide programs showcasing their contributions in the community and the leadership skills they display in the classroom and on the court.”
 
This marks the third year the award has recognized outstanding senior basketball student-athletes within the CIAA.
 
“The winners of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award - CIAA Division are fulfilling a commitment to Virginia State University and, at the same time, representing their school in the community,” said Tom Lamb, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing. “Both of these student-athletes recognize the value of gaining a college degree and performing public service while taking advantage of the opportunity to play the game they love.”
 
The male and female winners were determined through a voting process that ran concurrent with the basketball season and was divided into three categories: 1) online fan voting, 2) coaches, and 3) media. Each category accounts for one-third of the total vote.