March 23, 2010
CHICAGO- UIC senior Andrew Stover (Fullerton, Calif./Troy H.S.) was selected as a finalist for the 2010 Nissen-Emery Award on Tuesday, March 23.
The Nissen-Emery Award is presented annually to the top male senior college gymnast in the country. It is often referred to as the Heisman Trophy of collegiate gymnastics.
Stover has been a constant force in the gym for UIC since his freshman season. He is a two-time NCAA all-around finalist (2008, 2009) and the runner-up for the 2009 ECAC all-around title.
This season he is fighting back injuries to rank 13th in the nation in all-around average and 20th in the country in high bar average. He also qualified for the Winter Cup.
This marks the first time a UIC gymnast has been named a finalist for the Nissen-Emery Award since Tim Morrison earned the distinction in 2007.
Stover, who has a 3.72 grade point average on a 4.0 scale as a double major in entrepreneurship and finance, is signed up to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard upon completion of his degree requirements this spring.
"The honor of being a finalist for the prestigious Nissen-Emery Award couldn't have gone to a better human being than Andrew Stover," said UIC head coach "CJ" Johnson. "He is one of the all-time greats here at UIC, and his dedication to the sport, his family, the University, and, by his future U.S. Coast Guard service, his country, tells you what kind of young man he is.
"Andrew has given everything he can to UIC in his four years here," said Johnson. "This is a fantastic honor, and I have all the respect in the world for him."
Stover was also the winner of the prestigious 2010 Edward J. Saleh Memorial Award, given annually to a UIC gymnast who excels in the gym and the classroom. He is also active with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and various student entrepreneurship competitions.
The Nissen-Emery Award was founded by trampoline inventor George Nissen and has been given out annually since 1966. The 2010 Nissen-Emery Award winner will be announced prior to the NCAA National Men's Gymnastics Championships in April.
2010 NISSEN-EMERY AWARD FINALISTS
Luke Stannard - Illinois
Jon Buese - Iowa
Derek Gygax - William & Mary
Aaron Fortunato - Minnesota
Nick Noone - Stanford
Kyle Shanahan - Nebraska
Andrew Stover - UIC
David Chan - Michigan
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