Nov. 23, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas - San Diego State outfielder Quintin Berry has been named 2006 Wallace Award watch list as announced by the College Baseball Foundation in Lubbock, Texas. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. The 2005 winner, third baseman Alex Gordon of Nebraska, has signed to play professionally for the Kansas City Royals.
Berry, a junior from San Diego (Morse HS), was a second-team all-region and first team all-Mountain West Conference selection in 2005, his first season at SDSU. He led the Aztecs with a .419 batting average along with 60 runs scored, 18 doubles and 18 stolen bases. During the season, he had a 27-game hitting streak and tied for the MWC batting title with a .479 average in league contests. He was also named to the all-tournament team at the 2005 conference championship tourney.
The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semi-finalists by late May. Then the selection committee will narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals at a press conference in Omaha. The finalists, their head coaches, and their parents will be invited to Lubbock, TX, for a schedule of special events tied to the award banquet, which will again be nationally televised by Fox Sports Network.
The award is dedicated to the memory of former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach, Wallace was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. A 4-year starter, he was named All-Southwest Conference and All-District Six his senior year when he lead the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the Southwest Conference Tournament. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984 he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on March 24, 1985, at age 27.
The selection committee for the Wallace Award is comprised of a national panel of preeminent coaches, sports information directors, former winners and beat media who mostly closely follow the sport. Screening Committee members will evaluate the candidates and will continue their review throughout the entire baseball season. Additional Watch List candidates may be added as the season progresses.