FRESNO, Calif. After more than 200 nominations were reviewed, Fresno State softball All-American Jamie Southern is one of 24 candidates for the prestigious John Wooden Trophy, as announced today by Athletes for a Better World (ABW).
The John Wooden Trophy is presented to two distinguished athletes --one intercollegiate and one professional -- that best displays character, teamwork and citizenship. In addition, the John Wooden Trophy singles out athletes of excellence on and off the field and
spotlights these individuals as role models in performance and person.
Southern, who led the nation in ERA for the second time of her career last spring, is a three-time All-American on the field and an Academic All-American in the classroom while overcoming a near career-ending injury as a freshman. Her community involvement has been equally recognized as she volunteers with Big Heroes-Little Heroes events, walks in causes such as Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence, participates in Special Olympics, serves as a guest speaker a various community organizations as well as work with young children in readings and sports.
"I have an outstanding relationship with Jamie," Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright said. "She is a truly honest and trustworthy student-athlete and has a very positive impact on her teammates who play behind her. She will go out early or stay late to help a teammate or to get better to help her team.
"Jamie hates to lose but wins and loses very gracefully," Wrightadded. "She takes responsibility for her performance and is always using any failure to get better. She is humble and never forgets to acknowledge the performance of her teammates win or lose.
In order to be nominated for the John Wooden Trophy, the athlete must 1). train with a discipline, consistent work ethic, 2). demonstrate fair play and sportsmanship, 3). develop positive supportive relationships with teammates and coaches, 4). win or lose with grace and dignity, and 5). contribute to society through the gifts of time or money.
The mission of ABW is to use sports to develop character, teamwork and citizenship through commitment to an athletic Code for Living that applies to life and to create a movement that will play a significant role in the transformation of individuals, sports and society.
The goals for ABW is to have programs that are designed to encourage acceptance and use of the Code for Living and reaffirm the decisions of athletes to: work hard at their sport, demonstrate fair play, come together as one team, win or lose with grace and dignity and give something back to the community.
A committee will trim the field down to 12 by the end of the week. After that, the executive committee will name the six athletes that will appear on a national ballot. Ultimately, three athletes will be invited to the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel on Mon., Jan. 10, 2005 for presentation of the John Wooden Trophy.
Athletes for a Better World was founded by Mr. Fred Northup in June, 1998. The organization arose from a need for positive mentoring and young people in sport. ABW is governed by a National Board of Directors who utilizes a National Advisory Board and a National Athletic Advisory Board to assist in program planning and advocacy with sports organizations.