Wayne State University senior women's tennis student-athlete Tanya Joseph was one of 25 national semifinalists for the Coach Wooden Citizen Cup. After the nomination list of 75 was paired down to 25, only five were selected as finalists.  The 2013 Collegiate Wooden Cup recipient will be announced at the award ceremony April 23.

Former WSU women's ice hockey player Ashley King was a finalist during the 2007-08 academic year.

The five finalists are
Brigetta Barrett, University of Arizona, Track and Field
Nathanael Franks, University of Arkansas, Track and Field
Meghan Lyons, University of North Carolina, Field Hockey
Andrea Mingo, Purdue University, Basketball
Eric Soza, University of Texas at San Antonio, Football

The remaining 20 semifinalists were
Matt Barkley, University of Southern California, Football
Shayla Bivins, Georgia Tech, Basketball
Michael Clay, University of Oregon, Football
Akeem Davis, University of Memphis, Football
Emily Dayton, University of Dallas, Soccer
Dimonde Hale, Dennison University, Basketball
Dave Harding, Duke University, Football
Samantha Hodge, Western Carolina University,  Soccer
Tanya Joseph, Wayne State University, Tennis
Tracy King, North Carolina A&T University, Basketball
Collin Klein, Kansas State University, Football
Jordan Kovacs, University of Michigan, Football
Megan Moir, University of Kentucky, Golf
Malach Radigan, Lindenwood University, Football
Megan Rhodes, Radford University, Soccer
Matt Rowley, Bethel College, Baseball
Rachel Storz, Agnes Scott College, Tennis
Kassandra Vegas, Northern Arizona University, Track and Field
Dalaine Whitlock, Concordia University, Soccer
Alyssa Zupon, Yale University, Ice Hockey

The 9th Annual Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, an award given for the most outstanding role model among athletes, announced its nominees for the 2013 award ceremony according to Fred Northup, President, Athletes for a Better World.
 
Jack Nicklaus, regarded as the greatest golfer in the history of the game, will be honored for the positive influence he has had on the game of golf and on countless individuals who have admired him, as well as for the numerous ways he has contributed to improve the lives of others.
 
John Wooden , who won ten national championships during the years 1964--1975 as basketball coach at UCLA is regarded as the greatest college coach of any sport who ever lived. He is universally regarded as one of the finest human beings to ever grace the world of sports, and his character, conduct and selfless gifts stand at the highest level by any standard. When Coach Wooden learned about Athletes for a Better World, he gave authorization to attach his name to this annual award and he attended and addressed the inaugural event in Los Angeles in 2005. In his honor, the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup is presented to two distinguished athletes, one collegiate and one professional ,for their character and leadership both on and off the field and for their contributions to sport and society.
 
The Wooden Cup is given to a collegiate and a professional athlete who have made the greatest positive influence in the lives of others. The award recipients will be announced at a ceremony held in Atlanta in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre on Wednesday, April 25.
 
With Pat Summitt, Dikembe Mutombo, Mia Hamm, Peyton Manning, John Smoltz, John Lynch, Andrea Yaeger and Cal Ripken, Jr. as previous recipients, the Wooden Cup is becoming one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports. Recipients are considered role models and athletes of excellence both on and off the field.
 
Founded by Athletes for a Better World (ABW), a non-profit organization committed to changing the culture of American sports, the Wooden Cup is unique in that it is open to athletes in all collegiate and professional sports. Nominations are open to every division and conference in college sports.

Recipients of the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup are chosen by a committee chaired by Vincent Dooley, former University of Georgia athletic director, and other distinguished individuals involved in athletics across the country.
 
About Athletes for a Better World:
Founded in 1998, Athletes for a Better World (ABW) exists to change the culture of sport by developing individual character, teamwork, and civic responsibility through commitment to the Code for Living.  ABW's vision is to have the Code become a part of every sport at every level, so that it becomes the common language and standard expectation of behavior for everyone. ABW provides free support and resources to coaches and athletes across the country who want to teach and live out these values. “The Code for Living” can be found on playing fields, locker rooms and athletic facilities across the country. Currently, ABW players and coaches are represented in every state and several foreign countries.
 
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