Ally Candidate for CLASS Award

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (11-4-09):
LSU senior guard Allison Hightower is one of 30 student-athletes who have been named as candidates for the 2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, which is presented to women’s college basketball’s top student-athlete that excels both on and off the floor, it was announced on Wednesday. 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.

Hightower, the 2010 Southeastern Conference Preseason Player of the Year, returns as the leader of an LSU team that reached the NCAA Tournament Second Round a season ago. She averaged 14.9 points per game, which ranked fifth in the SEC, and she led LSU in five other categories as well. Hightower has played in 105 career games and seeks to become the 28th Lady Tiger to reach the 1,000-point plateau and the first since Sylvia Fowles as she sits at 943 career points. In LSU’s two 2009 NCAA Tournament contests, Hightower posted 23.5 points and 4.0 assists.

Even more impressive has been Hightower’s efforts in the classroom and the community. Since her arrival at LSU in 2006, Hightower has spoken to children at schools in the Baton Rouge area and even put on basketball clinics. She has played a vital role in the Lady Tigers’ new Grades Perseverance Achievement (GPA) program that honors education in the Baton Rouge area.

Last week, Hightower joined former LSU point guard and 2009 WNBA champion Temeka Johnson at Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge as the two addressed the importance of staying in school and the values of hard work. On Tuesday, Hightower and the Lady Tigers attended Family Literacy Night at Woodlawn Middle School.

In the classroom, Hightower was a member of the 2009 SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll.
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 students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.


From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in late January. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning Feb. 3 and concluding March 17. Fan balloting will then be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. The winner will be announced in early April at 2010 NCAA Women’s Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.seniorCLASSaward.com.

Posted by Bill Martin