CONWAY — Following a superb career capped by a record-setting, all-american season in 2011, UCA quarterback Nathan Dick has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the inaugural Arkansas Star of Tomorrow award, presented by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and Crain Automotive Team.
Dick joins four student-athletes from the University of Arkansas, two from UALR and one each from Arkansas State, Arkansas Tech and Harding as finalists for the award, the winner of which will be announced at the 2012 Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on Feb. 3.
The award will be based on four voting elements, which each count 25 percent of the total – current Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame members, inducted athletes of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, local sports journalists and the general public.
To vote, click
here. Voting will remain open through Jan. 31.
Dick recently concluded his career at UCA by leading the Bears to their first-ever Division I playoff appearance and a 1st-round victory, and ended the season by breaking Nathan Brown's single-season school record with 3,275 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. He was named 2nd team All-America by the College Sporting News and was a third-team selection by Phil Steele.
In two seasons as the Bears' starter, Dick finishes second in program history in completions (514), third in yards (5,943) and fourth in touchdown passes (44) and holds the school record for completions in a game (37). He also had the fourth-highest passing yardage total in UCA history with 45 against Texas State.
Having already earned his degree in Health Education in December, Dick is now preparing for the NFL Draft and will be showcased in the Players All-Star Classic at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock on Feb. 4.
The Star of Tomorrow award exists to honor an outstanding collegiate athlete in the state of Arkansas. Candidates for the award are athletes who exhibit excellence on the field of play as well as in the classroom and through involvement with the community.
Nominations are submitted by the sports information department of colleges and universities throughout the state and then narrowed to a group of 10 finalists.
