Georgia State Softball’s Alford One of 10 Finalists for Senior CLASS Award

Release from Georgia State Athletics:

For her excellence both on and off the field, Georgia State softball player Callie Alford was named one of 10 national finalists for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award, the presenting organization announced Tuesday, April 7.

Alford and her Georgia State teammates return to the field Wednesday at 5 p.m. to face Kennesaw State on the road. The Panthers then host Sun Belt newcomer Appalachian State for three-game series at Bob Heck Field beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m.

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 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.

Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. Fan voting will be available today at www.seniorCLASSaward.com. Online voting will be available through May 11.

The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2015 Women’s College World Series.

On the Field

Alford is an undisputed leader both on and off the field and this was most evident when she was elected team captain ahead of her senior season. She also serves on GSU’s leadership council, and she has excelled so far in her final year with the Panthers.

In the GSU career record book, the third baseman is first in home runs (34), tied for first in RBI (155), fourth in walks (93), tied for fifth in doubles (39), seventh in runs scored (126), seventh in hits (194) and tied for ninth in batting average (.319).

This season, Alford is second on the team in batting average (.376) and third in slugging percentage (.736), on-base percentage (.451) and runs scored (35). Her 43 RBI are good for second on the team and fourth in the Sun Belt Conference. She has also hit 10 doubles and blasted 11 home runs this season.

Off the Field

Alford is working toward her degree in finance with a minor in speech, and she has received seven academic awards at Georgia State. A team representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Alford has also worked with the Miracle League, her local soup kitchen, the Salvation Army, Goodwill and Big Brother Big Sister.