March 5, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y - Stony Brook senior Sara Cerrone (Floral Park, N.Y.) has been named as a candidate for the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, according to a release from the committee Tuesday. Cerrone is one of thirty softball players to be recognized for excelling in the classroom while also making an impact in their respective communities.

The award, presented to NCAA® Division I student-athletes each year in eight sports, focuses on the "Four C's" of classroom, character, community and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched in 2001 to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who fulfill their entire athletic eligibility and pursue their degree. Since that time, Lowe's, an official corporate partner of the NCAA®, has expanded the award to include other NCAA sports and the award has developed into the nation's premier tribute to college seniors.

This marks the second year for the softball division of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Arizona outfielder Caitlin Lowe was the inaugural winner in 2007.

From the list of 30 nominees, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in late March 2008. Those ten names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote that will include coaches, media and fans. The award winner will be announced and recognized at the 2008 NCAA® Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

"At Lowe's, we take pride in acknowledging hard work and outstanding accomplishments both on and off the playing fields," 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 recognize these candidate's contributions and look forward to recognizing the award winner at the softball championships."

Sportscaster Dick Enberg, Honorary Chairman of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, first conceived the idea of an award for seniors in 2001 in response to the growing trend of men's basketball players leaving school early for the NBA.

Lowe's has since expanded the Senior CLASS Award program to include men's hockey, men's lacrosse, baseball, softball and men's and women's soccer.