Colorado University Athletics

Senior CLASS Award Nominates McFarland

Senior CLASS Award Nominates McFarland
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BOULDER ? University of Colorado senior forward Jackie McFarland has been named one of 30 nationwide candidates for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

 

The award ? presented annually to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete of the 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 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.

 

            A 2007 Associated Press honorable mention All-American and first team All-Big 12 Conference selection, McFarland currently paces the Buffaloes with 18.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while hitting 59 percent from the field. She is just the third player in team history with 1,400 points and 800 rebounds in her career and also ranks among the top 10 in school history in free throws made, blocked shots and double-doubles.

 

            Prior to this season, McFarland was tabbed as a preseason first team All-Big 12 selection and was named one of the top five power forwards in the country by ESPN.com, but her success at CU goes well beyond the playing floor.

 

            A native of Derby, Kan., McFarland is a two-time Academic All-American sporting a 3.89 GPA. She is working on a concurrent degree program which will allow her to earn her MBA while completing her undergraduate degree in accounting. McFarland won CU’s Scholar-Athlete Award in the spring of 2007 for having the highest GPA in her class.

 

McFarland is a three-year team captain and is actively involved in CU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. SAAC is the governing body for student-athletes at CU which assists in the development and implementation of programs that motivate student-athletes to strive for and be recognized for academic excellence and community involvement.

 

            This last summer she expanded her horizons beyond Colorado as she was a member of the 2007 U.S. William Jones Cup team that won a bronze medal in Taipei, Taiwan. The Jones Cup Team, sponsored by Athletes in Action, spent time with children in area orphanages in addition to representing the U.S. on the court.

 

            From the list of 30 nominees for each gender, a national media committee will select 10 finalists to be announced in January. Those 10 names will then be put to ballot for a nationwide vote during the NCAA Tournament in March. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the male and female recipients.

 

            Previous winners 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) and Alison Bales of Duke (2007).