PRESS RELEASE 3/9/17
First Terrier in program history to be nominated for prestigious honor
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Christian Carson-Banister of the Boston University men’s lacrosse team was selected as a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award, as announced on Thursday.
Carson-Banister is one of 20 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse student-athletes to be named a candidate for this prestigious award. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Carson-Banister has not only excelled on the field but has shined academically and within the community. He received the University’s Scarlet Key Award this past fall, which is given annually to a senior at BU who has demonstrated excellence in student activities, leadership, involvement, and commitment in his/her individual’s college, and in scholarship. In the classroom, Carson-Banister has maintained a 3.27 grade-point average while completing a degree in international relations.
Carson-Banister has proudly represented the men’s lacrosse program in the community as well. He is part of the executive board for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at BU, which focuses on community service initiatives and addresses the issues of the student-athlete body. With his help, SAAC has worked on several charitable endeavors that benefit many organizations.
Of note, Carson-Banister and the men’s lacrosse team raised over $27,000 for Bike To The Beach, a non-profit that raises money and awareness for autism. Carson-Banister was one of several Terriers who completed a 100-mile ride from Boston to Newport, Rhode Island, for the charity. In addition, he has worked closely with the One Love Foundation, organizing and leading workshops that educate college students on sexual violence and healthy relationships.
On the field this season, Carson-Banister has been simply spectacular. He ranks second in the country in save percentage (.669), third in the nation in goals-against average (6.87) and first in the NCAA with an average of 13.50 saves per game. Carson-Banister’s performance and leadership as part of a 17-member senior class has been a major reason why the Terriers are off to a 6-0 start this season, best in program history.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ®, the 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.
The 20 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced in conjunction with the 2017 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championship in May.