Official Announcement
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Penn State men's lacrosse senior Chris Sabia has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate lacrosse. 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.
Sabia has excelled in all four areas.
Sabia, a labor and employment relations major, is also earning a business minor and will graduate with both to his name in his four years at Penn State. He has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors during both of his eligible seasons.
The defenseman has been a staple in leading the Penn State men's lacrosse team in the community. He led and put together a group of 10 teammates to participate in a day of volunteer work at the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County & ReStore this past fall, and he has also participated in many other community service events. He was a part of the 2018 State College Sustainability and Diversity Expo, where he shared research and information on different initiatives in the local area. Each of the last four years, Sabia has helped freshmen move into their dorms on campus on Move-In Day and has participated in the "Day of Giving" on Penn State's campus the last four years as well. He has built a relationship with the Wounded Warriors Project by participating in the Wounded Warrior Walk, Run and Roll even, as well as a wheelchair basketball event.
Sabia was named a 2018-19 team captain for his work ethic and his competitive nature that helps lead the Penn State men's lacrosse team.
"I lead on and off the field by being an example of how to act in certain situations, both socially and academically. I like to think I have become a role model for my teammates and the community around me," the Harleysville, Pennsylvania native said when asked to explain his leadership style.
Sabia is also a two-year veteran of Penn State's Athletics Directors Leadership Institute.
On the field, Sabia is a two-time USILA Honorable Mention All-American as a defenseman. He earned back-to-back All-Big Ten Second Team Honors in 2017-2018. Sabia has started all 50 games in his collegiate career so far, and has accumulated 59 career caused turnovers, 89 groundballs, six goals and an assist in his time at Penn State.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the 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.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced in conjunction with the 2019 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship in May.
