The Bowerman Advisory Board announced on Thursday the three women’s finalists for The Bowerman, an award which will recognize annually the most outstanding collegiate women’s track and field athlete. The 2009 finalists are Colorado’s Jennifer Barringer, Texas’ Destinee Hooker, and Texas A&M’s Porscha Lucas.
“As a former coach, I am pleased there is such an honor for women in the sport of collegiate track & field. This award provides a great opportunity to highlight the achievements of some of the most talented athletes in collegiate sports,” said Alfreeda Goff, Vice-Chairman of the Bowerman Advisory Board and Senior Associate Commissioner of the Horizon League.
The three women’s finalists were selected by the ten-member Bowerman Advisory Board, which is comprised of NCAA collegiate administrators, national and regional media personnel, and track & field statisticians. The Bowerman is administered by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
“I would like to thank the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for having the foresight to create such a prestigious award for collegiate track & field athletes. The Bowerman is an excellent way to recognize the talented young men and women who participate in track & field, as well as to honor one of the all-time great track & field coaches, Bill Bowerman,” said Herman Frazier, Chairman of the Bowerman Advisory Board and Senior Associate Athletic Director at Temple University.
The 2009 announcement and presentation of The Bowerman will be held on December 16th in conjunction with the 2009 USTFCCCA Convention at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. The three women’s finalists will be invited to the announcement and presentation of The Bowerman.
The Bowerman is named in honor of track and field pioneer Bill Bowerman, who served the sport of track and field in numerous ways, including his leadership in the USTFCCCA predecessor organization the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association, and his contributions to NCAA track and field and the running community as a whole.
“Our family is greatly honored by this distinguished award that gives recognition to a student-athlete for their abilities and performance in track and field,” said Barbara Bowerman, wife of the late Bill Bowerman. “Bill always felt that the achievements of the athletes on the athletic fields should be recognized in a most meaningful way.”
A ballot consisting of the three finalists will be sent in early November to The Bowerman Voters who will rank their selections for The Bowerman. Fans and USTFCCCA members will also be able to vote online as part of the national voting process.
An independent firm will collect and tabulate the votes to determine the women’s 2009 winner of The Bowerman.
– USTFCCCA.org
