Vol Baseball Third Baseman Jake Rucker Named Semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

Tennessee Vol Baseball Third Baseman Jake Rucker Named Semifinalist for Dick Howser Trophy

Vol Baseball third baseman Jake Rucker has been selected as one of the 42 semifinalists for the 2021 Dick Howser Trophy. The Dick Howser Trophy has been given every year for 34 years to award a player for high-level performance on the field, leadership on and off the field, character, courage, and other qualities that Dick Howser had. 

Dick Howser was an All-American shortstop for Florida State University and a major league player and manager.  Howser unfortunately passed away in 1987 due to brain cancer, and the award given in his memory is regarded as one of college baseball's post prestigious award. 

Rucker's recognition adds to an already solid junior year, as he ranks among the national and SEC leaders in hits and doubles. The highlight of Rucker's season occured in the series win against Texas A&M in late April when he had three hits in all three games. Rucker also performed at a high-level on the plate, hitting four doubles and a homer in the series win.

Rucker joins 13 fellow SEC semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, and the highly coveted trophy will be announced on Thursday, June 10th via Zoom due to COVID-19 protocols and procedures. The winner also gets an added bonus, as the announcement of who wins the trophy will be broadcast on the MLB Network.

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Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.