Feb. 15, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Villanova University senior Kevin Cunningham (Garden City, N.Y./Kellenberg) and junior Jack Rice (Baltimore, Md./Boys' Latin) were named to the 2012 Tewaaraton Award Watch List as candidates for the honor bestowed upon the top player in collegiate lacrosse. Cunningham and Rice are two of the ten BIG EAST players named to the list.
The Tewaaraton Watch List includes the top players across all three division of collegiate lacrosse and highlight the early contenders for the 2012 Tewaaraton Award. This year's list has 64 schools represented, which is a record high. "We are particularly excited with the number of schools represented in this year's Watch List, which is a strong indication of the growth of the sport and the excitement that the Award creates throughout the lacrosse world" said Jeff Harvey, Chairman of the Tewaaraton Award.
Cunningham, the 2012 BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, returns for his final season in a Villanova uniform after playing in 13 games last year, recording 24 goals and 21 assists for a team-high 45 points despite missing three games to injury. The senior co-captain led the BIG EAST averaging 3.46 points per game, ranking him 15th in the NCAA and, alongside Rice, was one of only two underclassmen named to the 2011 All-BIG EAST First Team.
Rice returns after a stellar sophomore year where he tallied a team-high 34 goals and three assists, ranking him third in the BIG EAST averaging 2.13 goals per game. Rice has appeared in all 31 games of his career while making 29 starts on attack and netting 60 goals and three assists during his two years on the Main Line. His 1.94 goals per game ranks his third all-time amongst the Villanova elite and for his efforts, Rice earned 2011 All-BIG EAST First Team laurels at the conclusion of his sophomore season.
The Selection Committees will make additions to these lists as the season progresses and athletes earn a spot along side these elite players. In late April, both lists will be narrowed to 25 and these men and women will earn the distinction of Tewaaarton Nominees. In mid-May, the 5 Finalists in each category will be announced. These finalists will be invited to the Tewaaraton Award Ceremony, which will take place on May 31st, at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.
Villanova opens their 2012 season when they travel to Lehigh on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Noon (ET).
