The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced today the list of ten semifinalists for the 2007 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award delivered by AT&T. This award is presented annually at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet to the nation's top collegiate catcher, as voted on by the national voting committee which is comprised of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and scouts.

            The Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award semi-finalists are (in alphabetical order):

            Mitch Canham, Oregon State University

            Joel Collins, University of South Alabama

            Lars Davis, University of Illinois

            Edward Easley, Mississippi State University

            Alex Garabedian, College of Charleston

            Chris Gradoville, Creighton University

            Trent Kline, University of South Carolina

            Buster Posey, Florida State University

            Tyler Weber, Wichita State University

            Matt Wieters, Georgia Tech

Statistical information will be compiled on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting committee for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 5, 2007.

A final vote among the national selection committee will occur during the College World Series. All three finalists and their coaches will be invited to Wichita for the 10th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 27, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Wichita. Johnny Bench will present the award to the recipient.