SALEM, Va. --- The 2020 Jostens Trophy timeline reached a benchmark in its annual process with the announcement of the finalists by the members of the Rotary Club of Salem (Va.) on Tuesday. Twenty student-athletes -- 10 men and 10 women -- remain in the running for this season's honors from a stellar pool of nominees representing all eight regions of Division III men's and women's basketball.
The Jostens Trophy is awarded to the outstanding NCAA Division III men’s and women’s basketball players who excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. This season marks the 23rd presentation of the awards, with the inaugural trophies bestowed in 1998.
The Rotary Club of Salem is responsible for the initial review of nominations and narrowed the collection of candidates over the past two weeks. The Club's Jostens Trophy Committee employs a numerical rating system in determining the lists of finalists. The system ensures an objective process thru the first round of vetting. The 20 finalists continue thru the review process, with a national selection committee of 30 or more individuals charged with determining the two winners of the 2020 Jostens Trophy honors.
Listed below are the finalists for the 2020 Jostens Trophy:
| MEN'S FINALISTS | WOMEN'S FINALISTS | |||
| Ben College | Whitworth University | Kate Balcom | Grove City College | |||
| Spencer Cook | Stevens Institute of Technology | Shelby Boyle | Transylvania University | |||
| Kena Gilmour | Hamilton College | Erica DeCandido | Tufts University | |||
| Kent Hanson | Carleton College | Hannah Frazier | Wheaton College (Ill.) | |||
| Michael Jefferson | Transylvania University | Maddie Hasson | Bowdoin College | |||
| Conor Riordan | Simpson College | Hallee Hoeppner | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | |||
| Nate Schimonitz | Nebraska Wesleyan University | Sydney Kopp | DePauw University | |||
| Noah Valencia | Gallaudet University | Paige Matijasich | Kenyon College | |||
| Tim Wendel | Crown College | Alexis Nall | Hanover College | |||
| Tanner Youngberg | University of Northwestern | Kelly Williams | Randolph-Macon College | |||
Ballots from the national selection committee are due by March 12 with the winning schools expected to be notified by March 13. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 Salem, Va.
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The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 23rd year the awards have been presented.
Additional information on the award can be found at www.odaconline.com/jostens