Zimmerman Candidate for Lowe’s Senior Class Award

Aug. 23, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson senior punter Dawson Zimmerman is one of 30 preseason candidates for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.

The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards a senior season can bring. The award is sponsored by Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, and is managed by Premier Sports Management.

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular 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 finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

Zimmerman has been outstanding in the classroom and one the field. A two-time Academic All-ACC performer, Zimmerman was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award last year when he averaged 40.6 yards per punt on a net punting basis, third best in Clemson history. His gross average of 40.8 yards per punt for a career is seventh best in school history.

The English major from Lawrenceville, GA had two punts over 75 yards last year, the first Clemson punt to have two punts over 75 yards in a career, never mind a season.

Zimmerman is one of just three ACC players on the list. The others are Chase Minnifield, a cornerback from Virginia and Will Snyderwine, a placekicker from Duke. Zimmerman and Drew Butler of Georgia are the only punters on the list.

Football Bowl Subdivision Candidates Emmanuel Acho, Linebacker, Texas Jeff Allen, Offensive Tackle, Illinois Jake Bequette, Defensive End, Arkansas Tony Bergstrom, Offensive Tackle, Utah Michael Brewster, Center, Ohio State Drew Butler, Punter, Georgia Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State Jared Crick, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska Austin Davis, Quarterback, Southern Mississippi Jeff Demps, Running Back, Florida John Dowd, Guard, Navy Michael Egnew, Tight End, Missouri Alan Gendreau, Placekicker, Middle Tennessee State Kevin Goessling, Placekicker, Fresno State Chandler Harnish, Quarterback, Northern Illinois Aaron Henry, Free Safety, Wisconsin Joe Holland, Linebacker, Purdue Jared Karstetter, Wide Receiver, Washington State Case Keenum, Quarterback, Houston Chase Minnifield, Cornerback, Virginia Dan Persa, Quarterback, Northwestern Tauren Poole, Tailback, Tennessee Nate Potter, Offensive Tackle, Boise State Matt Reynolds, Offensive Tackle, BYU Adrian Robinson, Defensive End, Temple David Ruffer, Placekicker, Notre Dame Will Snyderwine, Placekicker, Duke Nate Stupar, Linebacker, Penn State Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Utah StateDawson Zimmerman, Punter, Clemson