8/24/2010 7:18:52 PM | Football
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Syracuse senior linebacker Derrell Smith is one of 30 football student-athletes in consideration for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The award is presented to a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) senior who excels both on and off the field. Smith and the rest of the candidates were selected based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. While on-field performance during their collegiate career is a factor in determining candidates and the eventual winner, their personal character and off-field achievements in the classroom and community are major areas of focus.
Smith earned a dual degree in information management and technology, and marketing in May 2010, is enrolled in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication Master's degree program for advertising. He enters the 2010 season tied for sixth on the SU career record list with five forced fumbles. A 2009 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, Smith led the league and set an SU single-season record with four forced fumbles last season. His 8.1 tackles per game ranked fifth among BIG EAST defenders while his .65 sacks per game were sixth in the conference.
Off the field, Smith is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He has spent time volunteering at the Elmcrest School, working with teenagers who have been removed from their homes for a variety of reasons, clothing drives, the Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, the Syracuse Justice Center and Crouse Hospital.
From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select ten finalists for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in mid-October. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. The winner will then be announced in early January.
CLASS is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School and the program was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving early to turn professional. The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg and was inspired by the story of former Duke star Shane Battier, who could have been an NBA lottery pick, but elected to return to college where he led the Blue Devils to the national championship and earned his degree.
