OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Butler forward Matt Howard (Connersville, Ind.) was chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in men's basketball, the selection committee announced Wednesday.
The finalists were chosen from the original list of 30 announced in November, based on achievements in the community, classroom, character and competition.
Howard, a 2011 ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee, was a 2010 Academic All-America First Team pick a year after a second team selection in 2009. A two-time selection to the Horizon League Academic All-League First Team, Howard received the NCAA Elite 88 Award at the 2010 Final Four. The Connersville, Ind.-native was selected by the Sporting News in its 2010 list of the smartest athletes in sports. Howard presently owns a 3.77 GPA and majors in finance.
On the court in 2010-11, Howard is second in the Horizon League in scoring, posting 17.9 ppg while ranking third in three-point shooting, knocking down 46.3 percent of his attempts. The forward is ripping down 8.1 rebounds per game, good for third in the League.
A two-time team captain, Howard frequently volunteers his time to serve in a local soup kitchen, working at Thanksgiving and Christmas in each of his three-plus years at Butler.
Nationwide fan voting begins today to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote by clicking here, or visiting the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Facebook page through March 20. Fan votes will be combined with the media and coaches votes to determine the winner.
The winner will be announced at the NCAA Final Four in Houston.
Tags: Butler - Men's Basketball
