DALLAS – Utah Valley's
Daniel Dickinson was named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy on Thursday afternoon. The award is given annually to the nation's top collegiate player and is presented by the Dick Howser Award Committee and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
"This is a great recognition of the outstanding season Daniel has had on the plate. To be recognized among the nation's elite is a wonderful honor for a great competitor," said UVU head coach
Eddie Smith.
Dickinson has been the total package at the plate, hitting for both average and power. His .357 batting average leads UVU and is No. 4 in the Western Athletic Conference. The power jump from nine home runs in his Freshman All-American campaign has jumped to 17, placing him second all-time for a single season in UVU history. He needs one to tie Goose Kallunki and
Burke Camper for most in a single season.
He has gotten on base with his WAC-leading 79 hits and has added 32 walks with 13 hits by pitches. When Dickinson reaches base, he has often swiped the next bag. He has broken the UVU single-season record with 30 stolen bases in 34 attempts and is currently No. 13 nationally in stolen bases. The career record was broken by the UVU second baseman with his 35
th career stolen base earlier this season.
This year's 68 candidates come from 18 different conferences and 48 different schools. Dickinson was the only candidate voted to the list from the WAC. The SEC had 16 named to the list, with the ACC taking home 13.
The award is presented in honor of Dick Howser, a former Florida State University All-American and major leaguer who passed away from brain cancer in 1987. The criteria for consideration include on-field performance, leadership, moral character, and courage.
Dickinson is the second Wolverine to be named to the semifinal list as Goose Kallunki earned the honor in the 2012 list before being named as a finalist later that year.
The finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 8. The award winner will be announced at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska on Thursday, June 13.
