May 20, 2016
DALLAS – Georgia Tech junior shortstop Connor Justus has been named a semifinalist for the 2016 Dick Howser Trophy, an award given to the top player in collegiate baseball.
Justus is the fifth Georgia Tech player to be named a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist or finalist – Jason Varitek (1994, winner), Mark Teixeira (2000, winner), Zane Evans (2013, semifinalist), and Daniel Palka (2013, semifinalist).
The Cartersville, Ga., native is one of 43 semifinalists and one of a nation-leading 13 semifinalists hailing from the ACC.
Justus, considered one of the top shortstops in the country, is enjoying his best season as a Yellow Jacket in 2016. He is batting a career-best .345 with six home runs and 36 RBI. He is tied for the team lead in steals (nine) and has made 92 consecutive starts at shortstop for the Jackets.
This is the 30th year of the Dick Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations. The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 9. The 2016 award will be presented at TD Ameritrade Stadium in downtown Omaha, the home of the College World Series for the sixth year. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network on Friday, June 17, and then a press conference with the winner will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. ET on the opening day of the 2016 CWS.
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 of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage, qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser’s life.
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