Nation's top collegiate point guard to be presented with trophy April 2 at NCAA Men's Final Four in Atlanta

Acie Law IV of Texas A&M was chosen from a pool of over 60 top candidates and 17 finalists from NCAA Division I, II and III institutions across the country.  Law was selected by a committee comprised of 30 members made up of coaches, Hall of Famers, sports information directors and media from around the country.

The trophy will be presented on Monday, April 2 in Atlanta during the NCAA Men’s Final Four.  Media are invited to a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the Atlanta Hyatt Hotel hosted by sportscaster Jim Nantz and Bob Cousy, coinciding with a ceremony announcing the newest inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Fans can view a replica of the Cousy Award trophy in the NCAA Hall of Champions® area at NCAA Hoop City® from Friday, March 30 through Monday, April 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

“The Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford is one of college basketball’s premier awards” said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President & CEO.  “Known as one of the best point guards to ever play the Game, Mr. Cousy has set an unprecedented standard for this award.  The award recognizes not only core basketball skills such as passing, dribbling and creating team offense; it acknowledges strong qualities such as leadership, vision and integrity.”

“We’re proud to be honoring Acie Law IV with this year’s Cousy award,” said David Moore, assistant vice president of marketing for The Hartford's Property & Casualty operations. “Acie’s outstanding achievements both on and off the court reflect the high standards set by Mr. Cousy as well as the winning values shared by The Hartford.”

Acie Law IV led Texas A&M to one of the best seasons in school history.  Law was named to the preseason first-team for the Big 12 Conference and second-team All-America while being nominated for several awards.  Law, who will graduate in May, ranks among the top five players in Texas A&M history in points, assists, steals and three-point field goals.  Off the court, he was a member of the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 Team and was active in various community service programs, including Aggie Athletes Involved and the A&M basketball reading program, which benefits students from local elementary schools.

Other Cousy award finalists featured in the Men’s NCAA Final Four include Taurean Green of Florida and UCLA’s Darren Collison who will be squaring off in the national semi-finals on Saturday, March 31.

In 2006, The Hartford’s Property and Casualty operations launched a three-year partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to promote the prestigious Cousy Award.  The award pays tribute to basketball legend Bob Cousy, long considered the prototype for point guards.  It is given to players who exemplify superior skills both on and off the court.

“If basketball is an art form,” noted Cousy, “it primarily resides in the artistry, creativity, imagination and development of the nuances of the position by a genuine point guard such as John Stockton or Jason Kidd.”  Cousy was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

Past recipients of the award have included Jameer Nelson from St. Joseph’s University in 2004, Raymond Felton from the University of North Carolina in 2005 and Dee Brown from the University of Illinois in 2006.  For more information on the Bob Cousy Award presented by The Hartford, visit http://www.cousyaward.com/home.htm.

In addition to the Basketball Hall of Fame, The Hartford is an official corporate partner of the NCAA, the founding sponsor of the U.S. Paralympics and a sponsor of Coaches vs. Cancer.  These programs span The Hartford’s organization and support its diverse business lines.  They reflect the company’s long-standing commitment to the core values embodied in business, amateur athletics and higher education, including leadership, teamwork, integrity and excellence.

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2006 revenues of $26.5 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.

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