OMAHA, Neb. (June 21, 2012) – Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and All-American outfielder James Ramsey of Florida State University has been selected as the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA® Division I baseball. The announcement and trophy presentation were made today by Lowe’s, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, during the NCAA College World Series®.
The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I baseball head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I baseball. 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.
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.
“As far as amateur athletics is concerned, there is always something more than what you are doing between the lines and that is something that I have always tried to pride myself on,” Ramsey said. “Coming back for my senior year was more than a baseball decision. When you throw in the things off the field, it is a tremendous honor to be recognized as the most outstanding senior on and off the field.
“I feel extremely blessed just to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people in the city of Tallahassee as well as throughout the country. All I have been trying to do during my time as a student-athlete is to be a good steward of what I have been given, to make sure that I am able to give back because one day all the memories will fade but the impact you are able to have on other people is what will hopefully last forever.”
Ramsey was recently selected as the Capital One Academic All-American of the year for baseball. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native has recorded a cumulative grade point average of 3.84 in finance. Through his leadership, the Seminoles baseball team improved its community service to 100 percent participation and won the athletic department’s Semi-Gnome Award, which is awarded to the team with the highest participation rate and largest improvement over one year.
Ramsey has been president of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council for two years and is a three-year member of the conference’s SAAC. He has logged more than 100 hours of community service in four years and serves as a mentor to two young children who are suffering from life-altering illnesses. In addition, he and former Florida State football player Christian Ponder formed the Red Cross Noles, helping make the school one of the most disaster-prepared universities in the nation.
“What this award represents is what James Ramsey is all about – a true leader, a caring individual, a man that truly makes those around him better,” head coach Mike Martin said. “Many people talk the talk, but very few walk the walk. James Ramsey is a complete student-athlete and a great American.”
Heading into College World Series competition, Ramsey led the Seminoles in runs scored, home runs, triples and on-base percentage. He was named the ACC’s player of the year and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 23rd overall pick of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.
“James is one of 10 extremely deserving finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award,” said David Geren, Lowe’s vice president of marketing. “We are proud to recognize great student-athletes for their leadership and involvement in all aspects of their collegiate careers.”
For more information on all the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
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Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award First-Team All-Americans
Phil Pohl, Catcher/First Base/Outfield, Clemson
James Ramsey, Outfield, Florida State
Michael Roth, Pitcher/First Base, South Carolina
Ross Stripling, Pitcher, Texas A&M
Preston Tucker, Infield/Outfield, Florida
Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Second-Team All-Americans
Todd Hornsby, Pitcher, Jacksonville State
David Lyon, Catcher, Kent State
Thomas McCarthy, Third Base, Kentucky
Austin Nola, Shortstop, LSU
Zach Price, Infield, Army
