ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell University men's lacrosse player Max Seibald has been named a semifinalist for the fifth annual Coach Wooden Citizen Cup, given to one collegiate and one professional athlete who have made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others. Seibald, one of the top midfielders in Division I lacrosse over the past three season, was recognized for the honor on the basis of his leadership, work ethic and community service.

 

The finalists for the collegiate division include Ryan Adler (Hobart College, Ice hockey), Andrew Berry (Harvard College, Football), Lauren Mioton (Purdue University, Basketball), Tim Tebow (University of Florida, Football) and Rob Whiting (Vanderbilt University, Cross country).

 

Joining Seibald as semifinalists are Jenny Barringer (Colorado, cross country/track and field), Amanda Blumenherst (Duke, golf), Jenny Brine (Harvard, ice hockey), Ian Campbell (Kansas State, football), Mamadou Diene (Baylor, basketball), Raymond Jordan (Missouri, wrestling), Jeff Lerg (Michigan State, ice hockey), Tim Masthay, Kentucky, football), Brandon McArthur (Florida, baseball), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma, football), Adrienne Mills (Auburn, gymnastics), Brianna O'Donnell (North Carolina, field hockey), Elizabeth Quinley (Michigan Tech, cross country, nordic skiing, track and field), Matt Van Zandt (Texas A&M, golf) and Brett Winkelman (North Dakota State, basketball).

 

The 2008 Collegiate Wooden Cup recipient will be announced at the award ceremony on Jan. 14, 2009 at Atlanta's East Lake Golf Club.

 

Seibald is one of the recent greats in a Cornell lacrosse program full of legendary players. He is a three-time All-American and has been named first-team All-Ivy three times. His lacrosse career is one full of accolades and impressive numbers. As a freshman, he was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, as a sophomore, he was a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy and last season, he was a finalist for the USILA national player of the year. In just three seasons, he has already scored 100 career points and has helped the Big Red earn three Ivy League titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament, including a trip to the national semifinal in 2007. 

 

In the community, Seibald's efforts are unparalleled and it is here that his leadership qualities shine through. He is involved in various community service projects, typically taking up the leadership mantel, and often recruits his teammates and inspires them to give their time as well. The projects that he is involved with include – Save the Day, The 21 Run, Big Red Readers, Daffodil Days, and Sphinx Head Honor Society. Seibald spends approximately 35-50 hours volunteering during the fall semester and an incredible 40-60 hours volunteering during the spring semester. 

 

This year's professional athlete recipient is Cal Ripken, Jr. With Peyton Manning, John Smoltz, John Lynch, and Andrea Yaeger  previous recipients, the Wooden Cup is becoming one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports. Recipients are considered role models and athletes of excellence both on and off the field.

 
About the Coach Wooden Citizen Cup
Founded by Athletes for a Better World (ABW), a non-profit organization committed to changing the culture of American sports, the Wooden Cup is unique in that it is open to athletes in all collegiate and professional sports. Nominations come from every conference in the NCAA.
  
The Wooden Cup is named in honor of John Wooden, one of the most successful coaches in collegiate history. Wooden's legacy as a person of integrity, high moral character, compassion, and civic-mindedness continues to make him one of the most admired coaches in the history of sport.
 
Recipients of the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup are chosen by a committee chaired by Vincent Dooley, former University of Georgia athletic director, and other distinguished individuals involved in athletics across the country.