Dec. 22, 2009

Entire Wooden Cup Release With Every Semifinalist And Honorable Mention in PDF Format

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Lewis senior forward Amy Smith (Southgate, Mich./Anderson) is one of 20 semifinalists for the 2010 John Wooden Citizen's Cup, an award given for the most outstanding role model among athletes and sponsored by the Athletes for a Better World organization.

The honor is given to a collegiate and professional athlete who has made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others. 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 five finalists are Division I athletes from the University of South Florida, University of Texas, University of North Carolina, Dartmouth College and Harvard University. Soccer player Mia Hamm is the professional honoree. The collegiate winner will be announced on Jan. 19 from the five finalists.

Smith, who is one of only four non-Division I student-athletes to make the semifinal cut, is a member of the Lewis women's basketball team. She's been a key reserve for four seasons and helped the Flyers to a conference championship in 2006-07.

She is a peer minister on campus, a program whose goal is to support students in their journey through their college years at Lewis. She started a student-athlete bible study group with sessions focused on applicable lessons for athletes. Through Campus Ministry she has raised donations for Misericordia Heart Of Mercy, a local home for children and adults with developmental disabilities and volunteered at the Morning Star Mission food kitchen. She is also part of NCAA CHOICES, a program designed to decrease alcohol abuse on college campuses.

Smith spent the last two summers volunteering overseas. Following her junior season she worked for five weeks in Kenya. Among several projects, she taught 6-to-8 year old children science and held workshops for the local teachers so they could better teach.

Following her sophomore season Smith spent two weeks in Bolivia. Smith worked with the youth in orphanages and on the streets. They delivered donations of school and medical supplies and toys to the local hospitals, parishes, and communities of Sucre, Bolivia.

Following her graduation in May she will begin a 27-month commitment in the Peace Corps, teaching science and helping those in need in Africa.

"Amy is a leader on the court, on campus and beyond," head women's basketball coach Lisa Carlsen said. "She is a great teammate and is consistently putting others' needs before her own. Amy is very deserving of this honor."

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.