United Athletic Conference

Fresno State's Brad Harper is one of two WAC catchers named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List

WICHITA, Kan. - The WAC had two catchers named this week to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List. Fresno State senior Brad Harper and Rice junior Justin Ruchti were two of the 31 players nationally named to the list. Harper was a first team all-WAC performer last year. This season he is hitting .239 in 21 games and has thrown out eight of 23 base stealers. Ruchti has also played in 21 games and is hitting .265. He has thrown out nine of 17 base stealers on the season.

The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission announced the official watch list for the 2002 Johnny Bench Award. The watch list is compiled from information based on the 2001 season and 2002 pre-season honors. Because the award is given to the top National Collegiate Catcher in a season, the list will be updated to include other candidates until May 7, 2002.

The watch list will be narrowed down to ten semi-finalists by May 15, 2002. A comprehensive biography will be created on each of the semi-finalists and sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced in June at the College World Series. A final vote among the national committee will occur at the end of the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 5th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet in Wichita.

Johnny Bench presented Baylor Universitys Kelly Shoppach with the award last June in Wichita, Kansas. Casey Myers of Arizona State and Jeremy Brown of Alabama were the other finalists for this prestigious award.

"We are grateful that Johnny Bench is the namesake for our award because he is, without a doubt, the greatest catcher to ever play the game," said Bob Hanson, executive director of the Sports Commission. "We are very excited to have someone of his caliber support our efforts in honoring the accomplishments of these college players. While Bench is remembered for his offense, he may have had the greatest impact behind the plate. He was the first receiver to use a protective helmet in the field, popularized catching one-handed and kept his throwing hand behind his back to protect it from foul tips.

Benchs career honors include: National League Rookie of the Year (1968); National League Most Valuable Player (1970, 1972); World Series Most Valuable Player (1976); 14-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. In 1980, he set an endurance record by catching 100+ games for 13 consecutive seasons. Bench was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1989 with the fourth highest percentage of total votes cast.

2002 Johnny Bench Award Watch List
Brad Harper, Fresno State, Senior
Justin Ruchti, Rice, Junior
John Baker, California, Junior
Steve Booth, San Francisco, Senior
Caleb Brock, Kentucky, Senior
Jeremy Brown, Alabama, Senior
Troy Carodonna, Duke, Junior
Alberto Concepcion, Southern California, Junior
Jeremy Frost, Central Florida, Senior
Ryan Garko, Stanford, Junior
Stephen Ghutzman, Wake Forest, Junior
Tim Gradoville, Creighton, Junior
Chris Hamblen, Cincinnati, Junior
David Harrell, Purdue, Senior
Javi Herrerra, Tennessee, Sophomore
Ryan Hubele, Texas, Junior
Matt Lauderdale, College of Charleston, Junior
Jeff Mackor, Boston College, Senior
Danny Matienzo, Miami, Junior
Rock Mills, Pepperdine, Senior
Jed Morris, Nebraska, Junior
Tyler Parker, Georgia Tech, Junior
Landon Powell, South Carolina, Sophomore
Paul OToole, Notre Dame, Senior
Tony Richie, Florida State, Sophomore
Brian Rose, Florida, Junior
Chris Snyder, Houston, Junior
Mark Wahl, Dayton, Senior
Brad Willcutt, Southern Mississippi, Freshman
David Woolsey, Navy, Senior
Kris Zacuto, Loyola-Marymount, Senior