Carollo helped change the landscape of EOU basketball. During his four years in a Mountie uniform Eastern went from 4-22 to 26-6 with a conference championship
Former Mountie Receives Prestigious Invite
Isaac Williams
LA GRANDE, Ore. - While Eastern Oregon University's all-time leading scorer Mark Carollo's collegiate career may be over, the former Mountaineer has not stopped collecting accolades.
The newest coming today as Carollo, a 2008 Honorable Mention All-America selection, was named as a finalist for the prestigious Ad Rutschman Small-College Athlete of the Year award. The winner will be chosen at the 57th annual Oregon Sports Awards on February 8th.
The ceremony, hosted by former University of Oregon and Minnesota Viking great Ahmad Rashad, will honor the top athletes, coaches, teams and organizations from the calendar year 2008.
Carollo will be making his second straight trip to the Tiger Woods Center on the Nike World Campus in Beaverton. Last year Carollo was a finalist for the same award which was won by Warner Pacific point guard Scott O'Gallagher.
This year the Hermiston sharp shooter will be joined by finalists - Brian Clark, Linfield baseball; Ryan Fiegi, Oregon Institute of Technology basketball; Nik Kay, Concordia track and field; Kyle Stalker, Willamette baseball.
Shortly after graduating from EOU last spring Carollo inked a professional contract to play in San Jose, Costa Rica. The two-time All-Conference performer played in Central America from late June until October averaging double figures for Liceo de Costa Rica which advanced to the Costa Rican League championship series finals before bowing out to Barva.