Mackrides Named a Lowe's Senior CLASS Finalist
Apr. 4, 2012 OVERLAND PARK, Kan.; April 4, 2012 – Senior attackman Matthew Mackrides
(Newtown Square) of the Penn State men’s lacrosse team has been named a
finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, the organization announced
Wednesday. The Newtown Square, Pa., native is the lone CAA representative
among the 10 finalists.
Fan voting, which will be combined with media and coaches votes, will begin
immediately on the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award web site and will run through
Saturday, May 14. Fans may vote once per day.
The award is bestowed upon a senior who has notable achievements in four
areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. An
acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the
Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and
encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive
impact as leaders in their communities.
In 2012, Mackrides has helped lead Penn State to a 5-5 record against one of
the toughest schedules in the country. The Newtown Square, Pa., native ranks
second on the team in goals (16) and points (23) as the Nittany Lions have
faced eight ranked opponents, including a pair of top-five foes. The attackman
provided the heroics against then-No. 2/4 Notre Dame, scoring the game-
winner in overtime as Penn State defeated its highest ranked opponent in
program history.
A senior tri-captain, Mackrides has excelled on the field since stepping onto
campus as a freshman. The attackman ranks among the top-15 active players
in the nation in career goals (87) and has collected 125 points in 49 games
played. A two-time All-CAA First Team honoree (2010, 2011), Mackrides led
the team in goals in both 2010 and 2011. As a sophomore, he led the team in
points (44) and added a team-best 13 assists as a freshman.
Off the field, Mackrides has been heavily involved in EVANFEST, which was
created in memory of Philadelphia-native Evan Brady, who lost his battle to
osteogenic sarcoma in 2005. EVANFEST has helped raise more than $400,000
for families whose child is battling a life-threatening disease. He also mentors
at local elementary schools in the State College, Pa., area and has coached
and helped organize tournaments and camps through the Philadelphia Youth
Lacrosse All-Stars.
A two-time Dean’s List member (fall 2009, fall 2010), Mackrides has
maintained a 3.16 grade-point average as a communication arts and sciences
major. The Newtown Square, Pa., native is also a member of the University’s
Student-Athlete Advisory Board and was inducted into the Spiritus Leoninus
Honor Society, which recognizes student-athletes for outstanding performance
in athletics, academics, leadership and community service.
The winner will be announced during the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse
Championship, which will be held May 26 and 26 in Boston
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