Norman, Okla. - Fighting Illini seniors Alex Burge and Charlie Danielson have been nominated for the 2016 Byron Nelson Award, an honor that is given annually to the graduating senior who excels not only on the golf course but also in the classroom and the community, exemplifying the characteristics of the late Byron Nelson. 

Burge and Danielson are joined by eight other graduating senior golfers, and the Illini are the only school to boast two nominees for the award this season. Stephen Behr, Jr. (Clemson), Jordan Niebrugge (Oklahoma State), Chris O'Neill (Michigan), Jonathan Sanders (Washington), Dominic Kieffer (Colorado State), Robin Sciot-Siegrist (Louisville), AJ McInerney (UNLV) and Will Starke (South Carolina) complete the list of 10 nominees. 

A redshirt senior this season, Alex Burge has helped the Illini to three NCAA Championship appearances. He was recently awarded the Inaugural Tom Cousins Award, which recognized him not only for his contributions on the course but for his efforts in the community. Burge is studying business management and spends much of his time volunteering with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and other community service organizations. Burge has earned two top-15 finishes this season, helping Illinois to five tournament victories so far this year. 

A three-time All-American honoree, senior Charlie Danielson has also helped Illinois to three NCAA Championship appearances so far in his career. He is coming off of his first PGA Tour event appearance  as he made the cut at the 2016 Northern Trust Open. Danielson has earned four top-10 finishes individually this year, and was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week twice during the fall season. 

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com as the Illini continue through the spring season.