Holmquist named Finalist for 2016 Jostens Trophy

SALEM, Va.-- Trine's Jared Holmquist has been named a finalist for the 2016 Jostens Trophy, the Salem (Va.) Rotary Club announced Tuesday.

Holmquist (Reed City, Mich. / Reed City) is one of 10 men's student-athletes from around the nation to be named a finalist for the trophy. The Jostens Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball player who excels on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.  This season marks the 19th presentation of the awards, with the inaugural trophies bestowed in 1998. The Salem Rotary Club is responsible for the initial review of nominations and narrowed the collection of candidates over the past two weeks.

Earlier today, Holmquist was named the 2015-16 CoSIDA Academic All-American® of the Year for men's basketball. He became the first Academic All-American® for the Trine men's basketball team as a member of NCAA Division III.

Holmquist's other accolades this season include All-MIAA First Team honors, DIII News Player of the Month for November, three MIAA Player of the Week awards and recognition on the D3Hoops.com Team of the Week.

The Salem Rotary Club's Jostens Trophy Committee employs a numerical rating to narrow the list of finalists so that the decision can be made on the most objective basis possible. The 20 finalists continue through the review process, with a national selection committee of 32 individuals charged with determining the two winners of the 2016 Josten Trophy honors.

Ballots from the national selection committee are due by March 9 with the winning schools expected to be notified by March 11. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 17 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the NCAA Division III men's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va., on March 18-19.

The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Salem Rotary Club to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete.

The 10 men's finalists for the 2016 Jostens Trophy are listed below.