OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (6/4/2021) -- University of Detroit Mercy men's lacrosse senior Alex Akins ended a great career on the field for the Titans and even above his play was the leadership he provided as he was a finalist for this year's Senior CLASS Award and was named a Senior CLASS Second Team All-American.

He is the second Titan to ever be named a Senior CLASS Award All-American following Troy Dennis earning First Team accolades in 2014. 

The award, chosen by a vote of Division I men's lacrosse coaches, national lacrosse media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men's lacrosse.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character, and competition.

A three-time team captain, Akins was a five-year letter winner and starter for the Titans, who ended his career sixth in school history with 52 caused turnovers and collected 79 ground balls, while playing in 59 career games - tied for seventh in school history - with 54 starts - fifth in the record book.

He was named All-MAAC four times, including twice a first-team representative, and was also twice tabbed MAAC All-Tournament. He was a USILA Scholar All-American in 2020, a five-time member of the Detroit Mercy Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the MAAC Academic Honor Roll as well as a three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2021 Senior CLASS Award Men's Lacrosse First Team All-Americans
Charlie Bertrand, University of Virginia
Jake Carraway, Georgetown University
Chris Gray, University of North Carolina
Teddy Leggett, Lehigh University
Ryan Smith, Robert Morris University

2021 Senior CLASS Award Men's Lacrosse Second Team All-Americans
Alex Akins, University of Detroit Mercy
Tre Leclaire, Ohio State University
Kieran Mullins, Rutgers University
Drake Porter, Syracuse University
Stephen Rehfuss, Syracuse University