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For the first time in the history of the award, fans will have the
opportunity, beginning today (Feb. 3), to vote for their favorite
candidate online at
www.cousyaward.com and register to win an opportunity to serve
with Naismith Hall of Famers Bob Cousy, Jim Calhoun, Dean Smith and
others on the blue-ribbon committee assembled to select the winner.
The lucky fan will participate in a round-table committee discussion
of the award finalists and then cast his or her symbolic vote,
representing the finalist receiving the most online votes. The
winner of the 2006 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford will be
announced at the NCAA men's Final Four in Indianapolis, Ind., on
April 3.
"The Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford has established
itself as one of college basketball's premier awards" said John L.
Doleva, Naismith Hall of Fame president and chief executive officer.
"Mr. Cousy had a vision for this award when it was created -- to
recognize winning traits like leadership, vision and integrity. When
you review the credentials of the student-athletes who are finalists
for the 2006 award, it is clear there are a number of talented
players who are striving to achieve the standard set by Mr. Cousy. "
"Just like these players demonstrate on the basketball court, The
Hartford and its network of independent agents represent leadership,
vision, teamwork and integrity in the insurance industry," said
David Moore, assistant vice president of marketing for The
Hartford's property and casualty operations. "We're honored to be
part of a growing tradition that supports these values, and we wish
the best of luck to all the finalists for this year's award."
Cousy, also known as "Mr. Basketball," is considered the
prototype of point guards and was a freshman on the Holy Cross team
that won the NCAA championship in 1947. He was a pioneer in the NBA,
famous for bringing a flashy style of passing and showmanship to the
game. Named one of the top 50 players in NBA history, Cousy led the
Boston Celtics to championships in 1957 and 1959 through 1963. He
led the NBA in assists for eight consecutive years, 1953-1960, and
played in 13 straight All-Star games. After his retirement from
professional basketball, he was a successful coach at Boston College
from 1963 to 1969, with an overall record of 117 wins and 38 losses.
"If basketball is an art form," noted Cousy, "it primarily
resides in the artistry, creativity, imagination and development of
the nuances of the position by a genuine point guard, such as John
Stockton or Jason Kidd."
Cousy was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of
Fame in 1971.
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About The Hartford
The Hartford is one of the largest financial services and
insurance companies in the U.S., with worldwide revenues of $27.1
billion in 2005. The company is a leading provider of investment
products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and
homeowners products; and business property-casualty insurance.
International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United
Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is
www.thehartford.com.
About the Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford
Nominees for the Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford were
solicited through the College Sports Information Directors of
America and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. A
committee comprised of CoSIDA members narrowed the field to 16
student athletes from all three divisions of men's NCAA college
basketball. The group of 16 will be reviewed and a winner chosen by
a blue-ribbon selection committee comprised of Naismith Hall of
Famers, Mr. Cousy, college coaches, media members, sports
information directors and one lucky fan chosen to represent the top
vote-getter in the online poll at
www.cousyaward.com.
Previous winners of the award are Jameer Nelson from St. Joseph's
University in 2004 and Raymond Felton from the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 2005.
Finalists for the 2006 Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford
Division I
- Jose Juan Barea, Northeastern University
-
Dee Brown, University of Illinois
- Keydren Clark, Saint Peter's College
- Jordan Farmar, UCLA
- Daniel Gibson, University Texas
- Jeff Horner, University of Iowa
- Daniel Horton, University of Michigan
- Kyle Lowry, Villanova University
- Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson, University of Alabama at
Birmingham
- Carl Krauser, University of Pittsburgh
- Gerry McNamara, Syracuse University
- Darius Washington, University of Memphis
Division II
- Mark Borders, University of Tampa
- Sheldon Pace, Southwest Baptist University
Division III
- Adam Dauksas, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Kyle Witucky, The College of Wooster
[News release from the Naismith
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame;
assistant sports information director,
University of Illinois] |
