May 29, 2012
BOSTON - Senior attackman Matthew Mackrides (Newtown Square, Pa.) of the Penn State men's lacrosse team has been named a Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Second-Team All-American.
Mackrides, who also earned USILA All-America Honorable Mention recognition, was one of 10 men's lacrosse finalists for the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
The award is annually 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, the three-time All-CAA First Team member led the team with 30 goals and four man-up markers, while tying for the team lead in points (42). The senior tri-captain recorded at least one point in each game and notched five straight hat tricks from March 31-April 28. He scored his 100th career goal in his final game in a Penn State uniform, becoming just the fifth Nittany Lion in program history to reach the century mark.
Mackrides concluded his four-year career as one of the most prolific scorers in Penn State history. The attackman led his team in goals during his final three seasons and notched 101 career goals, good for a tie for fourth on the program's all-time list. He also added 43 career assists for 144 points, which rank sixth in school history.
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.
The attackman also mentored at local elementary schools in the State College area and has coached and helped organize tournaments and camps through the Philadelphia Youth Lacrosse All-Stars.
The Newtown Square, Pa., native graduated in May with a degree in communication arts and sciences. Mackrides was also 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.