- Posted in All University
- Category: AthleticsCampus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Twenty-four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) men's and women's student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were unveiled as candidates for the 2020-21 Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award®. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award recognizes the total student-athlete and encourages student leaders to use their platform in athletics to positively impact their communities.
CIAA award candidates were nominated by their respective universities, must be classified as a senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
In addition to athletic achievements, these young leaders volunteer time with charitable organizations, maintain a strong grade-point average and demonstrate positive character traits. Each of the men's and women's candidates will be recognized in a series of virtual presentations this spring, featuring CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.
"The Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award shows the company's continued commitment to support the CIAA mission while showcasing our student-athletes through community, classroom, character and competition," said McWilliams. "Their involvement on our campuses, and seeking opportunities to expand the program, helps us to recognize and celebrate the overall academic and athletic NCAA Division II student-athlete experience and the BEST IN CLASS."
Lowe's is a proud partner of the CIAA and supports the conference's mission and values in helping student-athletes reach their full potential in both competition and the surrounding community. Award winners will be determined through a three-pronged balloting system that includes CIAA fans, media members representing the conference and other HBCU's, and the CIAA Management Council.
Fan balloting will take place from March 3 – April 4, 2021 at www.LowesCIAASCA.com, the award website that contains information about each candidate and the program. The overall male and female winners will be announced later in April and presented with the prestigious Senior CLASS Award trophy.
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Women's 2020-21 Candidates
Jamyse Leanna Bell – Livingstone – Tennis
Aubriana Bonner – Johnson C. Smith – Basketball
Bryanna Brown (New York, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin) – Lincoln – Basketball
Milequa Eason – Saint Augustine's – Basketball
Jada Faison – Fayetteville State – Basketball
Jada Flowers – Shaw – Volleyball
Autumn Hopson – Virginia State – Basketball
Nyla Howard – Winston-Salem State – Softball
Talanya Hutton – Bowie State – Basketball
Bianca Lockamy – Virginia Union – Basketball
Tiffany McCarter – Elizabeth City State – Basketball
Jala Roberts – Claflin – Volleyball
Men's 2020-21 Candidates
Alkin Barkley – Virginia Union – Golf
Sam Cudjoe – Saint Augustine's – Golf
Kenyon Blackshear – Livingstone – Track & Field
Justin Faison – Elizabeth City State – Basketball
Romero Hill – Claflin – Basketball
Devon Hunt – Shaw – Football
Ian Jones – Johnson C. Smith – Basketball
Ryan Jones – Virginia State – Basketball
Tyrique McClain – Fayetteville State – Basketball
Justin Ross – Winston-Salem State – Basketball
Justin Route – Bowie State – Basketball
Deaquan Williams (Camden, N.J./Camden) – Lincoln – Basketball
ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's CIAA Senior CLASS Award recognizes the CIAA's top senior men's and women's student-athletes. In addition to the core requirement that a candidate be an NCAA Division II CIAA senior student-athlete, the award winners are selected based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. These areas of excellence are defined by the four Cs: community, classroom, character and competition. Premier Sports Management manages the award.
ABOUT LOWE'S IN THE COMMUNITY
As a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, Lowe's is committed to creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts through nonprofit partnerships. Across every community we serve, Lowe's associates donate their time and expertise through the Lowe's Heroes volunteer program. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.
ABOUT THE CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrated the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament - an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Chowan University is an associate member in football and women's bowling. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
