Sept. 17, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Senior Cyrus Eaton (Carbondale, Colo.) of the Belmont men's soccer team has been named a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, it was announced on Wednesday.

On the field, Eaton has played in all five matches for Belmont this season and helped lead the Bruins to a top-10 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas South Region Ranking on Sept. 2. The midfielder has been a mainstay for the Bruins throughout his career has played in 58 matches while posting four goals and five assists.

Off the field, the biology major has been named to the Atlantic Sun All-Academic team three times and made the dean's list every semester he has been eligible at Belmont. Furthermore, Eaton won the Academic Achievement Award for men's soccer last season for having the highest grade point average on the team. He is currently president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at Belmont as well as a member of the Faith Development Council, SAACS and senior advisor for Theta Epsilon Tau.

The award is given annually to senior student-athletes across nine NCAA Division I sports, has become one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics and is sponsored by Lowe's, an Official Corporate Partner of the NCAA.

These individuals qualified based on their dedication and achievement in four areas: Classroom, Character, Community, and Competition. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award is distinctive from many other honors in that on-the-field performance is only one factor in determining candidacy - a major emphasis is placed on off-the-field commitments and personal character.

From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in both divisions in October. Those 10 names from each division will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning October 9 and concluding November 19. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. Winners of the men's award will be announced during the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championships in Frisco, Texas, scheduled for December 12-14.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman, and has recognized winners in men's and women's basketball for seven years. Lowe's extended the award in 2006 to include baseball, softball, men's hockey and men's lacrosse, then in 2007 added men's and women's soccer. The award will also include the sport of football this fall, bringing the total awards program to nine NCAA Division I sports.

For more information on the Lowe's Senior Class Award, visit http://soccer.seniorclassaward.com/.