April 26, 2007
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters, a switch-hitting junior from Goose Creek, S.C., has been named to the 2007 Dick Howser Trophy Watch List, as released by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in conjunction with the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday afternoon.
Wieters is one of 50 candidates for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is given to the top player in college baseball. The NCBWA will choose the Dick Howser Trophy winner based on three rounds of voting, with the winner being announced at the College World Series in Omaha on Friday, June 15.
Earlier this season, Wieters was tabbed to the preseason Brooks Wallace Award Watch List and most recently has been named a candidate for the Johnny Bench Award, which recognizes the top collegiate catcher in the nation.
The Dick Howser Trophy, 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, is regarded by many as college baseball’s most prestigious award.
Criteria for consideration for the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
The Yellow Jackets have had two former players to earn the prestigious award, including another catcher, current Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek, who earned the award in 1994. Tech’s most recent Dick Howser Trophy winner was current major leaguer Mark Teixeira, who earned the honor in 2000.
