Angela Tincher named Sullivan Award finalist
Award goes to the nation's top amateur athlete

March 20, 2008

BLACKSBURG, VA - Virginia Tech senior softball pitcher Angela Ticherhas been named one of five finalists for the prestigious Sullivan Award, the award of which includes NCAA champions and world record holders in a variety of sports as its finalists.

Known as the "Oscar" of sports awards, and older than The Heisman, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. Based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism, the AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character.

Tincher will travel to New York City for the April 1 ceremony, which will be held at the New York Athletic Club. The other finalists are Jonathan Horton (gymnastics), Jeff Lerg (ice hockey), Philippa Raschker (track & field) and Tim Tebow (football).

Tincher would be the first softball player to win the award if she were to garner the honor.

Tincher is currently 12-4 with a 0.52 ERA in 120.2 innings pitched. The Akron Racers first-round pick in the 2008 NPF Draft and the third selection overall, has held the opposition to a meager .111 batting average. Tincher has posted 238 strikeouts for the 20-9 Hokies.

For bios on all five finalists, go to http://aaunews.org/news/?p=456