Top 10 Finalists Announced for National Sportsmanship Award by Awards and Recognition Association

GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Award season is upon us and in the spirit of recognition, the Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) announces the top 10 finalists for its sixth annual sportsmanship award www.arasportsmanshipaward.com, given to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship.  

The 2010 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from 10 finalists and announced this November.  

Previous winners are Kansas State University tight end, Jeron Mastrud (2009), Northwestern University receiver Eric Peterman (2008); Washington State quarterback Alex Brink (2007); Rutgers University fullback, Brian Leonard (2006) and University of Memphis running back, DeAngelo Williams (2005).

The 2010 finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

• Sam Acho, University of Texas
• Corbin Bryant, Northwestern University
• Jordan Gafford, Miami University
• Scott Lewis, St. Francis University
• Chima Nwachukwu, Washington State University
• Christian Ponder, Florida State
• Tyler Replogle, Indiana University
• Dominik Riley, University of Memphis
• Chris Stewart, University of Notre Dame
• John Stokes, Vanderbilt University

"The word is getting out to a wider audience about the importance of sportsmanship as the number of candidates more than doubled from last year," said B.J. Bailey, CRS, president of ARA.  "We are thrilled to be part of this groundswell of excitement over the power of sportsmanship. As the only national award that recognizes an athlete's character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship, the ARA Sportsmanship Award was created six years ago to shed light on these positive traits."

To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.  

Former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards chairs the selection committee of retired coaches and others, including:

• Bobby Bowden (Florida State)
• Spike Dykes (Texas Tech)
• Don James (Washington)
• Dick MacPherson (Syracuse)
• Don Nehlen (West Virginia)
• Tubby Raymond (Delaware)
• Gene Stallings (Alabama)
• Hub Arkush, Pro Football Weekly
• Christine Brennan, USA Today
• Steve Hatchell (President, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame)
• John Humenik (Executive Director, College Sports Information Directors of America)
• Bernie Kish (Former Executive Director, College Football Hall of Fame)
• Lisa Klunder (Executive Director, College Football Hall of Fame)
• Ted Miller, ESPN
• Grant Teaff (Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association)
• Alex Brink (2007 Winner ARA Sportsmanship Award)
• Jeron Mastrud (2009 Winner ARA Sportsmanship Award)
• Eric Peterman (2008 Winner ARA Sportsmanship Award)
• B.J. Bailey (President, ARA)

For more details, visit. www.arasportsmanshipaward.com.

SOURCE Awards and Recognition Association