NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
DALLAS, T.X. — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has released the list of semifinalists for the 2018 Dick Howser Trophy. Niagara junior Greg Cullen has been named as one of 35 semifinalists for the award given to the top player in collegiate baseball.
Cullen, a shortstop from Penfield, N.Y., is the first Niagara player ever to be named as a semifinalist for the award. He currently leads the nation in batting average (.466) as well as on base percentage (.559). Additionally, Cullen leads the MAAC in runs scored (49), hits (77), and is second in slugging percentage (.654). His 1.73 hits per game also rank first in the conference and fourth in the country.
The Dick Howser Trophy, created 31 years ago, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. It is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
The finalists will be announced on Friday, June 8. The 2018 award will be presented at TD Ameritrade Stadium in Omaha, Neb., the home of the College World Series. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network on Friday, June 15 and then a press conference with the winner will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 11 a.m. (EDT), the opening day of the 2018 CWS.
NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport’s only college media-related organization, founded in 1962.
