April 5, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State's Kara Brun (Glendale, Arizona) and Phelan Wright (Los Alamitos, California) are among 25 finalist for inaugural USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced Friday the 25 finalists. This award is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Brun, a junior shortstop, is currently batting .408 with a team-high 38 RBIs. She is also tied with Wright for the team high in hits (49) and is second in doubles (8) and home runs (5). Wright, a sophomore third baseman, leads the Sun Devils in batting average (.467), doubles (13), home runs (6) and is tied with Brun for most hits (49).
The list will be reduced to 10 players May 3rd, and three finalists will be announced May 31st. The winner of the 2002 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced June 7th. The winner will be recognized and presented with the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year trophy during the ASA National Council Meeting in Reno, Nevada, in November. A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player's academic institution.
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of amateur softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. As the National Governing Body, the ASA is responsible for identifying, selecting and training male and female athletes to compete in World, Pan American and Olympic competitions.