HAMILTON, N.Y. (5/31/12) - Colgate men's lacrosse junior Peter Baum added to his list of major awards this season with the prestigious 2012 Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top men's lacrosse player this season.
"What an unbelievable experience," Baum stated after winning the award. "I am so proud to be part of the Colgate family, and could not be happier to win this award for my teammates, friends and Raider Nation."
Baum, who was the first Colgate and second Patriot League player to be named a Tewaaraton Award Finalist, became the first player in program and league history to win the award. The Portland, Ore., native is also the first men's Tewaaraton finalist and winner from west of the Mississippi, and is the seventh attackman to receive the men's Tewaaraton Award.
First presented in 2001, the Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the pre-eminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. Baum was one of five finalists invited down to the ceremony that took place on Thursday night (May 31) at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
Baum has received numerous honors this season including the 2012 Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award by the USILA (United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association,) which is given to the Outstanding Player of the Year, was named to the 2012 USILA All-America First Team and the LaxPower All-America Team, and was named the 2012 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. He was also selected to the All-Patriot League First Team, All-Patriot League Tournament Team and Academic All-Patriot League Team this season. He finished the season as the NCAA statistics leader in points per game (5.39) and goals per game (3.72), after finishing the season with a total of 97 points from 67 goals and 30 assists, tying Duke's Matt Danowski (2008) for the most ever by a men's Tewaaraton finalist.
This season, the attackman has helped his team make program history with 14 wins in a season amongst other team records, while also setting a total of eight individual Patriot League and Colgate records. His records this year include points and goals in a single season for both Colgate and the Patriot League, as well as four Patriot League Tournament records. Baum is also currently second in program history with 130 career goals, which is also tied for second in league history, is fourth with 30 assists this season, and is fifth in career points with 176. The attackman is also tied for sixth all-time in NCAA history with 67 goals this season and is tied for 13th all-time in points in a season with 97.
Baum also received several preseason awards this season including the 2012 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and was a 2012 Preseason All-America Second Team selection.
**Courtesy Colgate Athletics**
