Patterson a finalist for amateur award

NASHVILLE – Middle Tennessee sophomore golfer Brett Patterson was listed as one of five nominees for the Ed Temple Male Amateur Athlete Award for the 14th Annual Pepsi Celebration of Champions presented by Kroger it was announced this week by the Nashville Sports Council.

The event is Nashville’s premier sports awards event honoring outstanding achievements in high school, collegiate and professional sports by Middle Tennessee individuals, teams and organizations, as voted on by the Nashville sports media, Nashville Sports Council membership and Kroger customers.

This year’s Pepsi Celebration of Champions presented by Kroger will include for the first time general admission seating for $15 per ticket/$10 for Kroger Plus customers at the Grand Ole Opry House. Visit NashvilleSports.com for ticket, event and sponsorship information.

The winners of each of the following award categories will be presented on Wednesday, February 22 at the historic Grand Ole Opry House: Sports Person of the Year, Ed Temple Amateur (Male & Female), High School Athletics (Male & Female), High School Team Athletics (Male & Female), Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement, Community Spirit, Nashville Sports Council Volunteer of the Year, Kaia Jergenson Courage and the Sergeant York Trophy. The Top 10 Sports Moments of the Year for 2011 will also be unveiled.

Patterson is nominated for his stellar freshman season at Middle Tennessee where he became the first Blue Raider to compete in the U.S. Open. The McMinnville native also earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors and helped lead the Blue Raiders to another NCAA Regional.

2012 Ed Temple Amateur Male Athlete of the Year nominees:
Brett Patterson, Middle Tennessee golf
Sonny Gray, Vanderbilt baseball
Demonte Harper, Morehead State basketball
John Jenkins, Vanderbilt basketball
Zach Stacy, Vanderbilt football

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.