Indiana University Athletics
Fant A Candidate for Senior Class Award
10/6/2017 10:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana fifth-year senior cornerback Rashard Fant is one of 30 candidates for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award®. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS 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.
Fant's volunteer and leadership activities have included:
· Read Across America, 2016.
· Volunteer at Camp Riley, 2015-16 – Camp Riley empowers children with physical disabilities by providing life-changing experiences in a camp environment tailored to their individual needs.
· IU Excellence Academy Leadership & Life Skills intern, 2016.
· IU Doin' It Right (Sexual Assault & Drug Abuse Awareness Group)
· Attended Apple Leadership conference representing IU, 2016-17.
· IU Student-Athlete Advisor Committee representative at the 2016 Big Ten SAAC Conference.
· Served the homeless at St. Anthony at the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl.
· Hoosier Hero (mentor).
· iDareU Training Program (representative and mentor).
· Math tutor and mentor for a fourth and sixth grader.
· Won the Director's Award (representing all that IU is and the mindset of 24 Sports, 1 Team).
· M.O.V.E. (Men of Valor Excelling – cultural and racial awareness and support program that Fant helped start).
The Atlanta native graduated in December 2016 with a degree in SPEA management and is currently pursuing his master's degree in public affairs.
Fant is the NCAA's active career leader and IU's all-time leader with 50 passes defended and 46 pass breakups in 40 games. A second team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, the Atlanta native topped the Big Ten in PBUs (17, T-2nd nationally) and passes defended (20, 3rd nationally).
He also led the Big Ten and finished second nationally with 22 pass breakups in 2015. A season ago, Fant shared the team lead with three interceptions (68 yards), including a 34-yard pick-6 at Florida International, and made 33 tackles, 29 solo, and one tackle for loss.
A nominee for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy, Fant also entered the year on the following watch lists – Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Senior Bowl and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team – and honored on five preseason first team All-B1G teams. Street & Smith listed Fant as the No. 10 cornerback in the country, while Lindy's ranked him as the Big Ten's top cover corner.
To determine the final Senior CLASS Award winner, the 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. 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. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be awarded Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
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.
Fant's volunteer and leadership activities have included:
· Read Across America, 2016.
· Volunteer at Camp Riley, 2015-16 – Camp Riley empowers children with physical disabilities by providing life-changing experiences in a camp environment tailored to their individual needs.
· IU Excellence Academy Leadership & Life Skills intern, 2016.
· IU Doin' It Right (Sexual Assault & Drug Abuse Awareness Group)
· Attended Apple Leadership conference representing IU, 2016-17.
· IU Student-Athlete Advisor Committee representative at the 2016 Big Ten SAAC Conference.
· Served the homeless at St. Anthony at the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl.
· Hoosier Hero (mentor).
· iDareU Training Program (representative and mentor).
· Math tutor and mentor for a fourth and sixth grader.
· Won the Director's Award (representing all that IU is and the mindset of 24 Sports, 1 Team).
· M.O.V.E. (Men of Valor Excelling – cultural and racial awareness and support program that Fant helped start).
The Atlanta native graduated in December 2016 with a degree in SPEA management and is currently pursuing his master's degree in public affairs.
Fant is the NCAA's active career leader and IU's all-time leader with 50 passes defended and 46 pass breakups in 40 games. A second team All-Big Ten selection in 2016, the Atlanta native topped the Big Ten in PBUs (17, T-2nd nationally) and passes defended (20, 3rd nationally).
He also led the Big Ten and finished second nationally with 22 pass breakups in 2015. A season ago, Fant shared the team lead with three interceptions (68 yards), including a 34-yard pick-6 at Florida International, and made 33 tackles, 29 solo, and one tackle for loss.
A nominee for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy, Fant also entered the year on the following watch lists – Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski, Senior Bowl and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team – and honored on five preseason first team All-B1G teams. Street & Smith listed Fant as the No. 10 cornerback in the country, while Lindy's ranked him as the Big Ten's top cover corner.
To determine the final Senior CLASS Award winner, the 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. 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. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be awarded Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in early January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ FootballFB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21