OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Sept. 26, 2019) – Thirty NCAA FBS student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were selected as candidates for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award^® in collegiate football.  Representing the MAC are Ball State offensive lineman Danny Pinter and Western Michigan quarterback Jon Wassink. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I FBS senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. 

Pinter, a native of South Bend, Ind., earned his bachelor's degree in just three and a half years, graduating last December with a 3.718 GPA in Ball State's business administration program. He is currently pursuing an MBA with a 3.889 GPA in his graduate course work. In his second season as Ball State's starting right tackle, Pinter graded out as the team's top offensive lineman in 2018, his first year at the position after moving from tight end.

Pinter finished first the past two years in the "Tough Cardinal" standings, a program through which coaches identify the players who best exemplify Ball State's eight pillars of "tough": discipline, effort, attitude, passion, competitive toughness, physical toughness, perseverance and influence on others. He is also a two-year member of the Cardinals' Leadership Council as selected by his teammates.  Pinter has been one of the most actively involved Ball State players in the community, participating in efforts with the Muncie Children's Museum, Ross Community Center and Muncie Mission in addition to speaking to area school kids.

Wassink, a 6-2, 208-pound Grand Rapids, Mich., native has helped Western Michigan's offense to a quick start in 2019 as the Broncos lead the MAC in scoring offense (38.8 points/game), total offense (515.2 yards/game) and pass efficiency (164.1) while standing second in passing offense (313.2 yards/game) and third in rushing offense (202.0 yards/game). Wassink has completed 58-of-82 passes for 866 yards and seven touchdowns against just two interceptions. He is averaging 288.7 yards passing per tilt this fall.

In the classroom, Wassink graduated from Western Michigan in December with a degree in accountancy and 3.95 cumulative grade-point average. A two-time All-MAC Academic Football Team selection, Wassink has also been a two-time MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and named to the WMU Dean's List every semester on campus.

Off the field, Wassink is part of the Bronco Buddies program at the Tree of Life, a school that provides a Christ-centered education to all children regardless of socio-economic status. He has been a four-year member of the program, taking part in its once-a-month activities on Sundays. Events include trips to go swimming, bowling or visit the zoo. During the spring of 2016, Wassink traveled to the Dominican Republic and helped build a basketball court for a village of 100 people. He also helped repair fences for a community bridge used by villagers daily and gained perspective and purpose through his work.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School^®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. 
 
To determine the final Senior CLASS Award winner, the 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. Along with the winner, the 10 finalists will be awarded Senior CLASS Award first- or second-team honors.
 
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the football bowl season in January. For more information on the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.