(Courtesy of SMU Athletics )

For students who don’t already know Adam Still, the captain of the SMU men’s soccer team, it wouldn’t take long after meeting him to see why he chosen as a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

Admired and respected by his fellow teammates and coaches, it is evident why Still is one of the 10 men’s soccer finalist for the award.

After being nominated by a member of the school, Still was then handpicked by a committee that evaluated different aspects of the player’s life.

The committee focused on the player’s excellence in the community and classroom, along with their character and competition.

Diogo de Almeida, a senior on the team who plays defense with Still, seems to be one of Still’s biggest supporters.

“He’s always helping us,” Almeida said. “Even outside of the field and school.”

However, Still’s presence on the team has been something that he had to work for.

The senior from Colleyville, Texas came to SMU as a freshman and has been a letterman for the past three years.

Tim McClements, SMU men’s soccer head coach, remembers when Still first joined the team and has admired his work ethic ever since.

Unlike many other players, Still has been the type of player McClements’ says can handle “adversity” and does so with a tremendous amount of poise and class.

“You don’t come across players like him too often,” McClements said. “The thing that I don’t think people realize sometimes is that he is a very caring individual and he’s tough as nails.”

During the 2010 to 2011 season, Still started for the Mustangs in all 20 games and played 1,808 of 1,880 minutes of the season.

The defender also scored his first collegiate goal against No.17 Tulsa from 75 yards out 10/20 and collected an assist Sept. 6 vs. Seattle.

Still has also been recognized as a part of the 2009 and 2010 CoSIDA ESPN Academic All-America District VI Team as well as the 2010 CoSIDA ESPN Academic All-America Third Team but his accomplishments don’t stop there.

He was also recognized as an Academic All-Conference USA recipient in 2010.

After college, Still plans to put his accounting degree to use, trading in his cleats and shin guards for loafers and ties.

Students wishing to vote for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award recipient is available online.

Fans can vote for Still one time a day per computer and cellphone.

The winner will be determined by a combination of fan, media and Division 1 head coaches’ votes.