March 31, 2009
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame attackman Ryan Hoff (Baldwin, Md./Dulaney) is among a list of 10 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse players who have been selected as finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
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. The finalists were chosen from a list of 30 candidates based on qualities that define a complete student-athlete.
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 those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence. This marks the third year for the men’s lacrosse division of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
Hoff has a team-best 16 goals this season. The senior currently ranks third in program history with 118 career goals. He is the only player in Notre Dame history to notch back-to-back 40-goal seasons. Hoff scored 40 as a sophomore in 2007 and followed with 41 tallies one season ago en route to earning honorable-mention All-America honors. He has played in all 54 contests during his career. Hoff has started 51 games and has totaled 129 points (118g, 11a). The senior carries a 3.230 cumulative grade-point average as a marketing major in the Mendoza College of Business. Hoff was a dean’s list member in the fall of 2008 as he posted a 3.883 semester GPA.
Hoff is heavily involved in the community service efforts of the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team. That work includes a mentorship program at local middle schools along with numerous other projects. Last year, the Irish men’s lacrosse team garnered the Trophy Award, which is presented annually to the Notre Dame team that has demonstrated its commitment and dedication to the community through unparalleled community service to Notre Dame and South Bend.
Joining Hoff as finalists are Matt Abbott (Syracuse), Jordan Burke (Brown), Michael Colleluori (Hofstra), Brandon Corp (Colgate), Joel Dalgarno (Ohio State), Danny Glading (Virginia), Max Seibald (Cornell), Andy Tormey (Navy) and Grant Zimmerman (North Carolina).
“These 10 student-athletes are to be commended for their all-around outstanding achievements as a collegian,” said Bob Gfeller, Lowe’s senior vice president of marketing. “Lowe’s is proud of its affiliation with the NCAA and college athletics, and we are pleased to help honor these individuals who have displayed a commitment to character, community and the classroom in addition to their competition on the lacrosse field.”
The 10 finalists will be placed on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award men’s lacrosse ballot for a nationwide vote beginning March 26 and concluding May 7. Fan balloting, available on the award’s official website www.seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. Fans also can vote via texting. To vote for Hoff, text LAX7 to 839863.
The 2009 award winner will be announced and presented with the prestigious Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award trophy during festivities surrounding the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championships, scheduled May 23-25 in Foxborough, Mass. The Lowe’s All-Senior All-America Team, based on final results of the balloting, will also be recognized.
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