Whitley Selected as Senior CLASS Award Candidate
Feb 22 | Softball
OVERLAND PARK, KAN. - Rutgers softball senior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) has been selected as a candidate for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award®, it was announced by the organization. Whitley is one of 30 student-athletes in collegiate softball who excel both on and off the field to be chosen.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
"Jordan has always held herself to higher standards," said head coach Jay Nelson. "She is an outstanding representative of what we expect from a Scarlet Knight. She is an honor student majoring in exercise science and an outstanding athlete. Jordan's work ethic both on the field and in the classroom is exemplary."
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: community, classroom, character and competition. The complete list of candidates follows this release.
Whitley is a three-time All-Conference Academic Team selection, as well as a two-time NFCA Division I All-America Scholar Athlete. In addition to community service initiatives with her teammates, Whitley gives back to her former travel team, the Delaware Cobras. For the past five years, Whitley has served as mentor and volunteer coach for the Cobras, running practices and training camps.
A 2015 NFCA All-Region Third Team selection, Whitley proved to be RU's most consistent hitter throughout the Scarlet Knights' inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. The then junior registered team-highs in hits (62) and doubles (13), while leading the team with a .342 batting average in conference play. This season Whitley has resumed her role at third base, also returning to the top of the lineup for the Scarlet Knights.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 Women's College World Series®.
For more information on all the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
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