Air Force Academy

Feb. 5, 2010

USAFA, Colo. - Air Force senior Matt Fairchild is one of 10 collegiate hockey players named a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award, recognizing student-athletes who have combined excellence in athletics, academics and community service.

Fairchild, a left winger from Ashburn, Va., was selected as an assistant captain this season. A systems engineering management major, he carries a 3.55 overall grade point average and a 3.65 GPA in his major. He has been on the dean's list every semester, is a three-time academic all-conference selection and has been very active in his squadron and in the community. The most valuable player of the Atlantic Hockey Association tournament in 2009, he was a third-team all-league selection. This season, Fairchild is third on the team in scoring with nine goals and 19 points in 28 games. He has played in 147 career games and has scored 42 goals and 54 career points.

Fairchild is the fourth consecutive Falcon to be a finalist for the prestigious award. Billy Devoney (2007), Frank Schiavone (2008) and Mike Phillipich (2009) were all finalists for the award.

The 2009-10 finalists are: Jean-Marc Beaudoin, Quinnipiac University; Cody Chupp, Ferris State University; Matt Fairchild, United States Air Force Academy; Colin Greening, Cornell University; Dion Knelsen, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Martin Nolet, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Garrett Raboin, St. Cloud State University; Rhett Rakhshani, University of Denver; Dan Ringwald, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Eli Vlaisavljevich, Michigan Technological University.

These 10 names will be placed on the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award hockey ballot for a nationwide vote beginning today and concluding March 16. Fan balloting is available on the award's official Web site, http://www.seniorCLASSaward.com, as well as through text messaging. Fans can text HOCKEY to 74567 to vote for the finalists. These votes will be combined with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award. 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 April.

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