(Courtesy Eastern Illinois Media Relations) KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Eastern Illinois men’s soccer’s Adam Gartner’s all-around excellence as a student-athlete has led to him being named one of 30 candidates nationally for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

The award, given annually to senior student-athletes across nine NCAA Division I sports, has become one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics.

The candidates were selected based on their dedication and achievement in four areas: Classroom, Character, Community, and Competition. The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is distinctive from many other honors in that on-the-field performance is only one factor in determining candidacy – a major emphasis is placed on off-the-field commitments and personal character.

From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in October. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning October 9 and concluding November 19. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. Winners will be announced during the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championships in Frisco, Texas, scheduled for December 12-14.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional.

The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary

Chairman, and has recognized winners in men’s and women’s basketball for seven years. Lowe’s extended the award in 2006 to include baseball, softball, men’s hockey and men’s lacrosse, then in 2007 added men’s and women’s soccer. The award will also include the sport of football this fall, bringing the total awards program to nine NCAA Division I sports.

Gartner was the lone candidate chosen from the Missouri Valley Conference this year.

On the field he is a four-year starter for an EIU team that has posted 31 victories during his career. He is the program’s active leader with 17 career assists, moving into ninth place on the EIU all-time list this season. The Iowa City native has also scored eight goals as a Panther. His versatility on the pitch has allowed the coaching staff to play him at defender and midfielder.

In the classroom, Gartner entered his senior year with a cumulative 3.68 GPA while majoring in finance. He is a two-time ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District and MVC First Team Scholar Athlete honoree. Last winter, he was also selected as a Second Team Scholar All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Gartner has participated in men’s soccer’s multiple community outreach programs. Those activities include: coaching youth teams and working camps and clinics; assisting with Market Day and the annual chili dinner at area schools; and taking part in elementary school visits during which student-athletes read to and interacted with the children.

Gartner’s family has also maintained a strong presence in the program. His parents, Bruce and Bev, are regularly in attendance at games and are striving to attend every EIU contest this fall. Additionally, they hosted a team dinner at their Iowa City home during the Panthers’ trip from Charleston to Omaha for the 2007 MVC Tournament.

Gartner was a Second Team All-MVC and NSCAA Third Team All-Region selection last season. He was also named to the Preseason All-MVC Team last month.