JONESBORO, Ark. (1/19/12) – The Crain Automotive
Team and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame have announced that Arkansas State senior
offensive lineman Tom Castilaw has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the
inaugural Star of Tomorrow Award.
Castilaw joins
four student-athletes from the University of Arkansas, two from UALR and
one each from Central Arkansas, Arkansas Tech and Harding as finalists for the
award. The winner will be announced at the 2012 Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame
Induction Banquet on Feb. 3.
Current Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame members, inducted athletes of the
Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, local sports journalists and the general public
will vote on the finalists, with each accounting for 25 percent of the total
vote.
Voting began on Jan. 17 and will remain open until Jan. 31. Those
wishing to vote can visit www.ARStarofTomorrow.com to cast their ballot.
Castilaw recently graduated from Arkansas State
with a Master's degree and was a team captain and anchor on Arkansas State's
offensive line this past season that saw the Red Wolves become the first team
in Sun Belt Conference history to win 10 regular-season games. A-State finished the year ranked 24th in the nation in total offense,
averaging 447.8 yards per game. The Red Wolves also finished the year ranked
first in the Sun Belt Conference in passing offense, scoring offense and total
offense. They were also second in the conference in rushing offense.
Castilaw was named All-Sun Belt Conference twice, including the
2011 season when he earned first team recognition. He was on the
Rimington Award Watch List and named a Phil Steele's Mid-Season Honorable
Mention All-America choice as a senior. Castilaw started every game at center for ASU's
offense that broke the school record for total offense this past season.