Sept. 18, 2012
OVERLAND PARK, KS – New Mexico men’s soccer senior Blake Smith has been selected as a candidate for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award. Smith is one of thirty NCAA Division I men’s soccer student-athletes nominated for this national recognition.
The Senior CLASS Award is based off an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The honor focuses on individuals who truly embrace and represent the student-athlete experience. The award also recognizes those who use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Blake Smith, a senior from Boerne, Texas, was a NSCAA Scholar All-American last season. Smith also garnered Academic All-Region, All-District and All-MPSF honors in 2011.
On the field, the attacking midfielder played in a big part in the Lobos’ first-ever undefeated season. He led the team in goals with ten while finishing second in assists with six. Smith’s awards for his work on the pitch last season included First Team All-MPSF and Second Team All-Region. He was also a member of TopDrawerSoccer.com’s National Team of the Week twice. The senior also received MPSF Player of the Week honors as well.
Smith is part of the team’s numerous community service projects. Smith and the Lobos regularly put on youth clinics and even travel to pueblos and Native American reservations throughout the state of New Mexico to put on free clinics.
So far in the 2012 season, the Lobo midfielder is picking up right where he left off. He’s tallied two goals and four assists in just five matches of action for the seventh-ranked New Mexico Lobos.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed down to ten finalists during the season. The winners will be announced during the 2012 NCAA College Cup in early December.
ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, 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 a senior season can bring. Premier Sports Management manages the award.