Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Barnett Named to Rotary Smith Award Watch List
02/13/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 13, 2003
Houston, Texas - Senior catcher Toby Barnett is among over 130 Division I college baseball players who are under consideration to become the winner of the Rotary Smith Award, which will be handed out in Houston, Texas on June 26.
A native of Kallaroo, Australia, Barnett was named preseason all-Missouri Valley Conference for the second straight time this season. Also a first-team all-MVC pick and the league's Newcomer of the Year in 2002, Barnett finished his junior season hitting .306 with a team-leading 67 hits, 16 doubles, 45 RBI and 111 total bases.
Now in its 16th year of honoring the nation's finest collegiate baseball player, the Rotary Smith Award winner is determined in a national vote of college baseball's publicists. Last season, those voters selected Khalil Green of Clemson, making the Tigers the first school to produce two winners of the award. Some other winners of the award include Mark Prior (USC, 2001), Bobby Jones (Fresno State, 1991), Darren Dreifort (Wichita State, 1993) and Andy Benes (Evansville, 1988).
The Rotary Smith Award pays tribute to Houston's original baseball ambassador, R.E. 'Bob' Smith and his wife Vivian. It rewards the winner's character and leadership as well as his talent on the field of play. The award benefits the Rotary Charities, Texas Children's Hospital and the Karl Young League.
Voting to determine the list of 12 semifinalists will begin in mid-May and the list will be announced at the conclusion of the regular season. Three finalists will be announced prior to the start of the NCAA Super Regional Action, the week of June 6-9.
To check out the preliminary Rotary Smith Award watch list, visit www.rotarysmith.com.
