From LaTechSports.com
Posted Nov 18, 2002 16:57:14

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech center Cheryl Ford has been named as one of 30 preseason candidates for the second annual Senior CLASS Award, announced today by the award's organizing committee.

The award is presented to the nation's top senior player of the year for NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball with Sue Bird of Connecticut winning the inaugural award last season.

Ford, who was already named the Western Athletic Conference's Preseason Player of the Year, joins Nevada's Kate Smith as the only two nominees from the WAC. The Summerfield, La., native already impressed a national television audience by scoring 24 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the season opening victory over Texas Tech.

The formation of the Senior CLASS Award - an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School - was announced during last year's college basketball season.

The names of the finalists will appear on the official ballot during the national voting process in March and the winner will be announced during the NCAA Final Four events.