A Trio of Atlantic Hockey Seniors Named Candidates for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

A Pair of Atlantic Hockey Seniors Named Candidates for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

Courtesy of Air Force, Canisius  and RIT Athletic Communications

Seniors Matt Fairchild (Air Force), Andrew Loewen (Canisius) and Dan Ringwald (RIT) have been named candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, recognizing student-athletes who have combined excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

The award is presented annually to an NCAA’s Division I student-athlete in nine sports based on achievements in the “Four C’s” of classroom, character, community and competition. CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award was launched in 2001 to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who fulfill their entire athletic eligibility and pursue the many rewards of a senior season and complete college education.

Fairchild, a left winger from Ashburn, Va., was selected as an assistant captain this season. A systems engineering management major, he carries a 3.55 overall grade point average and a 3.65 GPA in his major. He has been on the dean’s list every semester and is a three-time academic all-conference selection. The most valuable player of the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament in 2009, he was a third-team all-league selection. He has been very active in his squadron and in the community. Fairchild has played in 119 career games and has scored 33 goals and 77 career points.

Fairchild is the fourth consecutive Falcon to be a candidate for the prestigious award. Billy Devoney (2007), Frank Schiavone (2008) and Mike Phillipich (2009) were all finalists for the award.

On the ice, Loewen ranks among the best goaltenders in school history. He enters his senior campaign ranked second in the program’s Division I history in career saves and also currently ranks first in career save percentage plus second in goals against average. A two-time team MVP, Loewen also owns school records with a 201-minute scoreless streak, which ranks 10th in NCAA history, and with 61 saves in a single game.

Off the ice, Loewen owns a 3.86 GPA as a double major in entrepreneurship and management. He is a three-time member of the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team and has twice been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team. A three-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Loewen has also volunteered his time as assistant coach with the Cazenovia Youth Hockey League and has worked with Hasek’s Heroes, Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes and an Alzheimer’s Walk.

From the list of 20 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2010 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in late January. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning February 5 and concluding March 19. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. The winner will then be announced in early April.

This year’s candidate class includes two preseason Inside College Hockey All-Americans, two returning American Hockey Coaches Association All-Americans from last season and eight candidates from teams ranked in the USA Today/USA Hockey preseason top 15 poll. Seven candidates helped their teams earn a spot in the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. Half of the 20 candidates have cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 and above. Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award winner at the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four® in April.