WNBA Washington Mystics

Mystics' Beard winner of CLASS Award

Published on May 6, 2004 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release


Washington, D.C. –Washington Mystics guard Alana Beard has been named the recipient of the 2003-04 Bayer Advantage® Senior CLASS Award.

The Senior CLASS Award - an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School - was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the recent trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. Sportscaster Dick Enberg is the award's honorary chairman and will present Beard and with her award on Friday, May 7th in Kansas City, Missouri. Joining Beard will be Jameer Nelson of St. Joseph's University men's basketball team.

"It is an honor to receive this award," said Beard "It shows the importance of education for those aspiring to be great players. In the words of John Wooden, ‘Passion is temporary and education is like love, it is enduring'."

National balloting was conducted during the month of March by three separate voting entities - a National Media Committee that covers college basketball, Division I college basketball coaches, and nationwide fan balloting. The names of ten Finalists, which were selected from a list of 30 nominees by the media committee, appeared on the ballot.

A three-time All-American at Duke University, Beard led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring and won her third straight ACC Player of the Year honor in 2004. She finished her senior year with 19.7 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.4 steals. Beard led Duke to four ACC Championships and became the first player in Duke women's basketball history to have her jersey retired.

The Inaugural winners of the ClASS Award were Juan Dixon, currently with the Washington Wizards and Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm.

The Washington Mystics first preseason game will be at MCI Center on Tuesday, May 11th vs. the Indiana Fever at 7:00 p.m. The Mystics kick off the 2004 season at MCI Center on Saturday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. against Charlotte Sting.

Individual tickets for the entire season are currently on sale and can be purchased by visiting MCI Center's Box Office, calling TicketMaster Phone Charge at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 6, 2004


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