RADFORD'S CHELSEA KELLEY NAMED LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD FINALIST

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Chelsea Kelley (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) of the Radford University softball team has been selected as a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which is on of the most prestigious accolades in college athletics, announced Monday afternoon. The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 30 candidates that were announced in February.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

The 10 finalists will be placed on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award softball ballot for a nationwide vote beginning today (Monday, March 28) and ending May 10. Fan balloting is available on the award's official website, www.seniorCLASSaward.com and via the Senior CLASS Award Facebook page. These votes will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. Lowe's will announce the winner on June 3 at the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Kelley, a pitcher who recently was accepted into Radford University's Physical Therapy doctoral program, is the first Radford student-athlete to be a candidate for this award that honors individuals every year in several collegiate sports.

"What a prestigious honor this is for Chelsea," said fifth-year head coach Mickey Dean. "I am very proud of Chelsea and how hard she has worked on and off the field the past four years. For her to be the first student-athlete at Radford to earn this recognition, it says a lot about her commitment to school, softball and the community."

Joining Kelley as finalists are Stephanie Brombacher (Florida), Alisa Goler (Georgia), Brittany Lastrapes (Arizona), Kristine Priebe (Georgia Tech), Jenn Salling (Washington), Taylor Schlopy (Georgia), April Setterlund (Boston), Dorian Shaw (Michigan) and Danielle Zymkowitz (Illinois).

Kelley has been instrumental in Radford's success on and off the field. The 2009 Big South Pitcher of the Year played a major role in the Highlanders winning their first two Big South Championships (2009 & 2010) and reaching the final of 2010 Athens, Ga. NCAA Regional. In the last two seasons, Kelley, a two-time first team all-conference selection, has posted a 50-17 record, including a 24-2 mark in Big South contests, while appearing in 91 of Radford's 111 contests.

Kelley's work does not go unnoticed off the field either as she excels in the classroom and in the community. An exercise, sport and health education major, she has maintained 3.94 GPA through her first seven semesters (all on Dean's List) with five of those receiving a perfect 4.0. She will graduate this spring and further her education in physical therapy graduate school with the aspiration of working in the field of sports rehab or spinal therapy.

Despite her rigorous class requirements and softball schedule, she finds the time to tutor her teammates and volunteer in several community and charitable activities. Her work with her teammates was evident when the program recorded the 25th best GPA amongst NCAA Div. 1 schools.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. 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.