Hamilton Named Preseason All-American, Lott Trophy Candidate

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March 29, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia cornerback Marcus Hamilton (Centreville, Va.) has been named to the 2006 Preseason All-America Team by NationalChamps.net. The senior is also one of the 42 top defensive players in the nation who have been named to the 2006 Lott Trophy Watch List.

All-ACC honoree Hamilton led the ACC in interceptions last season with six. Also a three-time academic All-ACC selection, he graduated in December with a 3.36 GPA in sociology.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its third year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia and DeMeco Ryans of Alabama were the winners of the first two Lott Trophies. Both Georgia and Alabama received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In two years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated $170,000 to various charities, in addition to the two universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club on Dec. 10.

Virginia opens the 2006 season at Pittsburgh on Sept. 2.