Rocky Reeves, captain of the Buffalo State College hockey Bengals, is one of four college hockey players who named finalists for the National Collegiate Athletic Association's 2002 College Hockey Humanitarian Award.

Reeves, who has captained the team for three years, was a finalists in last year's competition.

In its seventh year, the award is given to a college hockey player who has exhibited a strong commitment to community, team and studies. It will be presented on Apr. 5 at the NCAA's Division 1 Frozen Four in St. Paul, Mn. Reeves' competition this year includes Daniel Casella, a senior at Dartmouth College; Thomas Conti, a three-year captain at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.; and Jeff Wilson, a four-year starter and captain at Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.

Reeves' involvement in the Buffalo community began after he sustained a broken leg during a game. Rather than return to his hometown of Anchorage, he stayed at Buffalo State, earning a 3.41 grade point average and volunteering for a number of campus and community efforts.

His activities have included the Concerned Ecumenical Ministry Soup Kitchen, the national Condom Safe Sex Week promotion, Take Back the Night, the Carlysclub Cancer Fundraiser and the Buffalo State Health Fair.

Reeves also organized and implemented a Holiday Rummage Sale for the Homeless, helped distribute books to needy children through the college's Project FLIGHT literacy program and organized and implemented the "Aid Buffalo" Food and Clothing Drive for the United Way.

Reeves, who received his bachelor's degree last December and is working toward his master's, has maintained a 3.30 GPA while majoring in health and wellness.

Named to both the SUNYAC All-Academic Team and the SUNYAC Commissioner's list twice, Reeves has also been nominated for the Buffalo State College President's Medal, the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence, the Outstanding Senior Health and Wellness Major Award and the Outstanding Health and Wellness Major Community Service Award.