Dec. 29, 2008

Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Release

Cirone Profile on Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Web Site

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Illinois State senior guard Kristi Cirone has been selected as a candidate for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in women's basketball. Cirone is among 30 finalists who all represent different schools from 18 Division I conferences.

From the list 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.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, 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. 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.

The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the remarkable story of former Duke University basketball player Shane Battier, who could have been an NBA lottery pick but returned to college for his senior season and led the Blue Devils to the National Championship in 2001.

"At Lowe's, we take pride in acknowledging hard work and outstanding accomplishments both on and off the court," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's senior vice president of marketing and advertising. "That commitment extends beyond our employees and customers and into the communities we serve where these student-athletes become real-life mentors. We're thrilled to honor each candidate's contributions and look forward to recognizing the award recipients at the men's and women's Final Four."

The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award is in its eighth season honoring women's basketball players. Past recipients of the women's award include Sue Bird of Connecticut (2002), LaToya Thomas of Mississippi State (2003), Alana Beard of Duke (2004), Kendra Wecker of Kansas State (2005), Seimone Augustus of LSU (2006), Alison Bales of Duke (2007) and Candice Wiggins of Stanford (2008).

Bradley's Kelly Krumwiede is the only other Missouri Valley Conference player among the 30 candidates. Eastern Illinois' Rachel Galligan, who is a graduate of Bloomington's Central Catholic High School, also made the list.