Oct. 5, 2009
Visit Yeisley's Lowe's Senior CLASS Award webpage
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior forward Jason Yeisley (Allentown, Pa.) has been selected as a finalist for the men's soccer Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The honor recognizes student-athletes who excel on and off the field, weighing notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community, and competition.
Nationwide balloting begins immediately to determine the winner. Fans can vote EVERY DAY for Yeisley by sending a text message M9 to 74567 AND online at www.seniorclassaward.com/vote/mens_soccer_2009/. Fan voting will continue until Nov. 13. and counts 1/3 towards the final total. These votes will be combined with ballots from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award.
Yeisley is in the midst of stellar senior season, leading Penn State to a 7-3-1 record, the program's best start since 2001, and to first place in the Big Ten standings. He tops the team in goals (6) and points (14) and is tied for the lead in assists with four. In early September, Yeisley was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer America Team of the Week for scoring three goals and tallying one assist through the first three games of the 2009 campaign. He was also recognized on the all-tournament teams for the Wolstein and Penn State Classics. Most recently, Yeisley was honored on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Oct. 4) for his contributions in wins over Penn and Michigan State.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Yeisley is Penn State's leading active scorer, totaling 22 goals and 15 assists (59 points) in 52 career games. A three-time team captain, he has overcome two serious knee injuries and surgeries to both feet over the course of his career. In recognition of his ability to triumph over adversity, Yeisley was presented with the True Grit Award at the 2009 Penn State Student-Athlete Advisory Board Academic Achievement Awards Banquet.
Yeisley with Adam Recke |
In the classroom, Yeisley boasts a 3.61 cumulative grade point average and will graduate with a degree in management from the Smeal College of Business in December. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team selection, he intends to attend dental school after graduation.
With the same determination he has employed in pursuit of excellence in the classroom and on the soccer field, Yeisley has sought to help and raise awareness for a special friend with a very rare disease. He has devoted his time and energy to aid in finding a cure for nine-year old Adam Recke, a boy from his hometown who suffers from Niemann Pick Type C (NP-C), a terminal illness which affects just 500 people worldwide.
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.
Lowe's will announce the Senior CLASS Award winners during the 2009 NCAA Men's College Cup championship in early December.