Valentin Named Candidate for Lowe's Senior Class
9/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 24, 2007
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Wake Forest men's soccer senior Julian Valentin was named as a candidate for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, an annual honor presented to senior students athletes who excel on and off the field.
Twenty male and twenty female players have been selected as candidates for the 2007 soccer awards, based on personal qualities that define a complete student athlete. While the on-the-field performance during their collegiate soccer careers is a factor in determining candidates and the eventual winner, their personal character and off-the-field achievements in the classroom and community are major areas of focus.
In men's soccer, 19 universities and 10 conferences are represented. The ACC leads all conferences with four athletes.
From the list of 20 candidates in each sport, a national media committee will select 10 finalists in both divisions in October for the 2007 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Those ten names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning October 16 and concluding November 21. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award. Winners will be announced during the NCAA Soccer Championships, scheduled on December 7-9 in College Station, TX for women and December 14-16 in Cary, NC for men.
About Valentin
Wake defender and current team captain Julian Valentin started every game for the Deacons during his sophomore and junior seasons. Last year, Valentin helped the Deacs to their first run to the NCAA College Cup, posting three game-winning goals overall.
Off the field, Valentin has earned Dean's List honors for five of six semesters and is scheduled to graduate in December 2007. The Lancaster, Pa. native has taken advantage of volunteer opportunities through the NCAA's CHAMPS program, and has logged hours at the local homeless shelter, mentoring Hispanic students, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and raising funds for Hurricane Katrina relief. Last year, Valentin was the co-chair of the Campus and Community Involvement Committee for the Student-Athlete Advisory Council at Wake Forest.
This year, Valentin is the Vice President for the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC); in this role he oversees all of the SAAC committees and participates in the SAAC strategic planning and leadership.
Valentin suffered an injury during practice in late August that has sidelined the senior through the first Deacons matches of the season, but he is expected to return to play in the coming weeks.
More on Lowe's Senior CLASS
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman, and has recognized winners in men's and women's basketball for six years.
Lowe's extended the award in the spring of 2007 to include four other NCAA sports: baseball, softball, men's hockey and men's lacrosse. With the addition of men's and women's soccer in fall 2007, a total of eight sports are now included in the awards program.
About the Award
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student athletes in four areas: classroom, community, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards that a senior season can bring. For more information, visit www.seniorclassaward.com.
| Name | Height | Position | School | Conference |
| Anton Anderson | 5-11 | F | Jacksonville | Atlantic Sun |
| Evan Barnes | 6-4 | GK | United States Naval Academy | Patriot |
| Eric Brunner | 6-4 | D | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Greg Folk | 6-9 | D | UCLA | Pac 10 |
| Kevin Forrest | 5-11 | F | Washington | Pac 10 |
| Trini Gomez | 5-10 | MF | Loyola Marrymount | West Coast |
| Andy Iro | 6-5 | D | UC Santa Barbara | Big West |
| Julius James | 6-1 | D | Connecticut | Big East |
| Tim Jepson | 6-0 | D | Duke | ACC |
| George Josten | 6-1 | F | Gonzaga | West Coast |
| Stephen King | 5-8 | MF | Maryland | ACC |
| Peter Lowry | 5-11 | MF | UC-Santa Clara | West Coast |
| Travis MacKenzie | 5-10 | MF | Duquesne | Atlantic 10 |
| Kevin Meyer | 5-11 | MF | Fordham | Atlantic 10 |
| Brad Peetoom | 6-1 | D | Syracuse | Big East |
| Todd Reedy | 5-11 | D | Bradley | Missouri Valley |
| David Roth | 5-8 | F | Northwestern | Big Ten |
| Andre Sherard | 5-10 | D | North Carolina | ACC |
| Julian Valentin | 5-11 | D | Wake Forest | ACC |
| Mike Zaher/td> | 5-10 | D | UCLA | Pac 10 |
