HPU’s Chaney Named Senior CLASS Award Candidate

Senior Allan Chaney of the High Point University men’s basketball team has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2013-14 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced on Wednesday. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Div. 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.

Chaney’s journey to his final season of eligibility has been a remarkable one. Originally a top-75 recruit out of New London High School in Connecticut, he went to the University of Florida and played his freshman year of 2008-09. Chaney then transferred to Virginia Tech and had to sit out the 2009-10 season due to NCAA transfer rules. In the spring of 2010, Chaney fainted during a workout and was eventually diagnosed with viral myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart. The diagnosis began a two-year process of recovery, which has been well documented, before he was finally cleared to play in May of 2012.

Chaney enrolled in graduate school at HPU and, after missing three full seasons of basketball, played in High Point’s season opener on Nov. 9, 2012. It was an 81-73 win over UNC Greensboro and Chaney scored 15 points with seven rebounds in 16 minutes of play. Chaney had gone 1,346 days between games. He went on to be named to the All-Big South second team and NABC All-District second team after averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. He was named CBSSports.com Comeback Player of the Year.

Due to his health issues, Chaney was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA and elected to return to High Point to lead the Panthers this season. HPU was picked No. 1 in the North Division of the Big South Preseason Poll, returning all five starters from last year’s squad that went 17-14 overall and 12-4 in league play.

Academically, Chaney is on track to get his master’s degree in nonprofit management in the spring of 2014. Beyond basketball, he plans to start his own nonprofit organization to help children with heart problems get the care they need.

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 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 a winner who best exemplify excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. It will be announced during the 2014 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

High Point begins its 2013-14 season with an exhibition game vs. Bridgewater College on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Millis Center. The Panthers’ regular-season opener is Friday, Nov. 8, against UNC Greensboro at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Complete List: http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/mens_and_womens_basketball_candidates_announced_for_the_2014_senior_class_a/