NDSU senior A.J. Jacobson was one of 30 NCAA men’s basketball student-athletes selected as candidates for the 2017-18 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced Jan. 4.
To be eligible for the award, 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 encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Jacobson is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, earning first-team honors as a junior in 2017) and third-team honors as a sophomore in 2016. He was voted to the Summit League Academic All-League team following each of the past three seasons and is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree and three-time NABC Honors Court honoree.
Jacobson graduated with his bachelor’s degree in zoology following his junior season (May 2017) with a 3.992 cumulative GPA and has now begun a Master of Business Administration program. Following his collegiate career, he will enter dental school.
Jacobson has volunteered at many community events, including school visits, hospital visits and youth events and has been involved in North Dakota Special Olympics. With his teammates, he has participated in several service events, including volunteering at a homeless shelter on Thanksgiving, serving food at a charity event and teaching special-needs children to ride bikes.
Jacobson has started all 105 games he has played in during his time at NDSU.
The class of 30 men’s basketball candidates will be narrowed to a field of 10 finalists in February, 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. One male candidate and one female candidate will be selected who best exemplify excellence in, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four and NCAA Women’s Final Four this spring.
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