Colorado University Athletics

McFarland A Senior CLASS Finalist

McFarland A Senior CLASS Finalist

BOULDER ? University of Colorado senior forward Jackie McFarland has been named one of 10 national finalists for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. Additionally, McFarland earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII Women’s Basketball first team for the third straight year. Both honors were announced Thursday.

 

McFarland was one of 30 original nominees for the Senior CLASS Award that was pared down to 10 finalists by a national media committee. She joins Megan Cowher (Princeton), Sarah Elliot (Kentucky), Sylvia Fowles (LSU), Carlene Hightower (La Salle), Tasha Humphrey (Georgia), Crystal Langhorne (Maryland), Sarah Jo Lawrence (George Washington), Rebekah Parker (Evansville) and Candace Wiggins (Stanford). She is CU’s second Senior CLASS finalist, joining Tera Bjorklund who was a finalist in 2004.

 

The Senior CLASS 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 8.4 rebounds per game while hitting 58 percent from the field. CU’s all-time leader in free throws made (505), McFarland is just the second player in team history ? joining Lisa Van Goor (1980-85) to register 1,700 points and 900 rebounds in her career. She also ranks among the top eight in school history in free throws attempted, blocked shots, field goals made, double-doubles and minutes played.

 

            McFarland is a 2008 Naismith Award semifinalist and she was tabbed as a preseason first team All-Big 12 selection and 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 3.86 GPA. She is working on a concurrent degree program which will allow her to earn her MBA while completing her undergraduate degree in accounting this spring. 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.

 

            Fans nationwide can vote on the Senior CLASS Award finalists from now through March 21. Fan balloting, available on the award’s official website www.seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award. Winners will be announced during the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four.

 

            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).

 

            McFarland will also move onto the national ballot for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America team voted on by the College Sports Information Director’s of America (CoSIDA). McFarland earned second team Academic All-America status in 2006 and 2007. The 2008 Academic All-America team will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 26. She will be looking to become Colorado’s third three-time Academic All-American joining Jim Hansen (Football, 1990-92) and Kelly Smith (Cross Country/Track & Field (1996-98).