Funkhouser Selected as Finalist for Senior CLASS Award
April 26, 2016 | Baseball
Righthander is Louisville’s career leader in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched and pitching starts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville righthanded pitcher Kyle Funkhouser was named Tuesday as a finalist for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. Funkhouser was among 10 baseball student-athletes, who excel both on and off the diamond, selected as finalists for the prestigious award.
Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be chosen as a finalist for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, a finalist for the honor in 2014. 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. 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.Â
Finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in March. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through June 7. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner. This year's Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series® in June. For more information on all of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
A native of Oak Forest, Illinois, Funkhouser is Louisville's career leader in wins (30), strikeouts (336), innings pitched (343.2) and pitching starts (51) while also ranking eighth in career ERA (2.88). Last season, Funkhouser was a 2015 Third Team Louisville Slugger All-American and an All-ACC First Team selection before being selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.Â
As a sophomore in 2014, he was a First Team ABCA All-American, Second Team Louisville Slugger and NBCWA All-American and a Third Team All-American choice by Baseball America and Perfect Game. He also was on the 2014 Louisville Regional All-Tournament Team and a First Team All-Conference selection. In 2013, Funkhouser was a Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American honoree.
Up next, No. 6 Louisville begins a five-game homestand at Jim Patterson Stadium with a visit from FIU on Wednesday at 5 p.m., ET. The Cardinals will also host St. John's for a weekend series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter (@UofLBaseball) at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
2016 Senior CLASS Award - Baseball Finalists
Kyle Funkhouser, Louisville  Â
Jason Goldstein, Illinois  Â
Thomas Hackimer, St. John's  Â
Taylor Jones, Gonzaga  Â
Greg Kaiser, IPFW
Matt Outman, Norfolk State
Matt Parrish, Campbell
Paschal Petrongolo, Jacksonville State
Joey Roach, Georgia State
Thomas Woodrey, Miami (FL)
Â
Funkhouser becomes the second Louisville player in the last three seasons to be chosen as a finalist for the award joining former Cardinals outfielder Jeff Gardner, a finalist for the honor in 2014. 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. 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.Â
Finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in March. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through June 7. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches' votes to determine the winner. This year's Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2016 College World Series® in June. For more information on all of the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
A native of Oak Forest, Illinois, Funkhouser is Louisville's career leader in wins (30), strikeouts (336), innings pitched (343.2) and pitching starts (51) while also ranking eighth in career ERA (2.88). Last season, Funkhouser was a 2015 Third Team Louisville Slugger All-American and an All-ACC First Team selection before being selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.Â
As a sophomore in 2014, he was a First Team ABCA All-American, Second Team Louisville Slugger and NBCWA All-American and a Third Team All-American choice by Baseball America and Perfect Game. He also was on the 2014 Louisville Regional All-Tournament Team and a First Team All-Conference selection. In 2013, Funkhouser was a Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American honoree.
Up next, No. 6 Louisville begins a five-game homestand at Jim Patterson Stadium with a visit from FIU on Wednesday at 5 p.m., ET. The Cardinals will also host St. John's for a weekend series starting Friday at 6 p.m.
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter (@UofLBaseball) at http://twitter.com/uoflbaseball and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
2016 Senior CLASS Award - Baseball Finalists
Kyle Funkhouser, Louisville  Â
Jason Goldstein, Illinois  Â
Thomas Hackimer, St. John's  Â
Taylor Jones, Gonzaga  Â
Greg Kaiser, IPFW
Matt Outman, Norfolk State
Matt Parrish, Campbell
Paschal Petrongolo, Jacksonville State
Joey Roach, Georgia State
Thomas Woodrey, Miami (FL)
Â
Players Mentioned
RHP
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