April 4, 2012
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Senior attackman Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square) of the Penn State men's lacrosse team has been named a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, the organization announced Wednesday. The Newtown Square, Pa., native is the lone CAA representative among the 10 finalists.
Fan voting, which will be combined with media and coaches votes, will begin immediately on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award web site and will run through Monday, May 14. Fans may vote once per day.
The award is bestowed upon a senior who has 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.
In 2012, Mackrides has helped lead Penn State to a 5-5 record against one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Newtown Square, Pa., native ranks second on the team in goals (16) and points (23) as the Nittany Lions have faced eight ranked opponents, including a pair of top-five foes. The attackman provided the heroics against then-No. 2/4 Notre Dame, scoring the game-winner in overtime as Penn State defeated its highest ranked opponent in program history.
A senior tri-captain, Mackrides has excelled on the field since stepping onto campus as a freshman. The attackman ranks among the top-15 active players in the nation in career goals (87) and has collected 125 points in 49 games played. A two-time All-CAA First Team honoree (2010, 2011), Mackrides led the team in goals in both 2010 and 2011. As a sophomore, he led the team in points (44) and added a team-best 13 assists as a freshman.
Off the field, Mackrides has been heavily involved in EVANFEST, which was created in memory of Philadelphia-native Evan Brady, who lost his battle to osteogenic sarcoma in 2005. EVANFEST has helped raise more than $400,000 for families whose child is battling a life-threatening disease. He also mentors at local elementary schools in the State College, Pa., area and has coached and helped organize tournaments and camps through the Philadelphia Youth Lacrosse All-Stars.
A two-time Dean's List member (fall 2009, fall 2010), Mackrides has maintained a 3.16 grade-point average as a communication arts and sciences major. The Newtown Square, Pa., native is also a member of the University's Student-Athlete Advisory Board and was inducted into the Spiritus Leoninus Honor Society, which recognizes student-athletes for outstanding performance in athletics, academics, leadership and community service.
The winner will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship, which will be held May 26 and 26 in Boston.