MSNsportsNET Wrote:Butler Named Lowe's Finalist
MSNsportsNET.com
February 3, 2010


Da'Sean Butler

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University men's basketball player Da'Sean Butler has been chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, announced today. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, character, community and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 men’s candidates and 30 women’s candidates who were announced in October.

Butler, a Newark, N.J., native, leads the sixth-rated Mountaineers with 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. A multidisciplinary studies major, Butler is shooting 35.4 percent from 3-point range and has already hit three game-winning shots for West Virginia in his senior season.

The Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll member joins an elite list of senior candidates for the award: Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga University; Marquis Hall, Lehigh University; Luke Harangody, University of Notre Dame; Damion James, University of Texas at Austin; Adam Koch, Northern Iowa University; Chris Kramer, Purdue University; Raymar Morgan, Michigan State University; Jon Scheyer, Duke University; and Josh Young, Drake University.

Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine the winner. Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award winners during the 2010 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours in early April.

All finalists will be placed on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award basketball ballot for a nationwide vote beginning today and concluding March 22. Fan balloting will be available on the award’s official Web site, SeniorCLASSaward.com, as well as through text messaging. Fans can text MBBALL to 74567 to vote for men’s finalists and WBBALL to 74567 to vote for women’s finalists. These votes will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award.

“Like all student-athletes, basketball players have many demands on their time,” said Tom Lamb, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing. “These finalists have made it a priority to use some of their spare time to improve their communities through various service projects. Lowe’s puts a premium on community service and values the contributions these young people make each day."