Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Alumnus Jim Harris Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award
March 29, 2012 | General
Cleveland, Ohio – Jim Harris, a Bowling Green State University alumnus and former Director of the Falcon Club, was honored by the Division II Athletics Directors Association (DII ADA) as the recipient of the 2012 DII ADA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Harris, who passed away unexpectedly in December of 2010, began his administrative career in 1975 at BGSU as the Director of Athletics Development. He also had stops at Ohio State, Rice and Utah State before becoming the Athletics Director at Alabama Huntsville from 1995 until his sudden passing in 2010.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an Athletics Director who has exemplified superior achievement during their career at the Division II level. During his tenure at Alabama Huntsville, the Charger hockey team captured two NCAA championships and the teams won 18 conference titles. The softball team, in particular, qualified for four DII national championships and advanced to the title game twice.
From the beginning of his tenure, Harris established a tradition of winning and academic excellence. Regardless of the final score of a game, he stressed to his coaches, staff and student-athletes, the importance of high performance in the classroom as well. The student-athletes all benefited from knowing Harris, who implemented a fifth year senior scholarship program to assist student-athletes in fulfilling their goal to graduate.
Harris was a man who provided fair, consistent and honest leadership during his tenure. He believed that the athletics directors' role was to lead his/her program and advocate for the student-athletes, while making the tough decisions.
His passion and support for the student-athletes at UAH was apparent up until the end, urging caregivers to hurry up because he had a hockey game to go to.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award presented by the DII ADA. To be eligible for this award, a person must be at least 60 years old, or have spent at least 25 years in collegiate athletics, with a majority of those years as an AD. The honoree may be currently in the profession or retired.
Harris, who passed away unexpectedly in December of 2010, began his administrative career in 1975 at BGSU as the Director of Athletics Development. He also had stops at Ohio State, Rice and Utah State before becoming the Athletics Director at Alabama Huntsville from 1995 until his sudden passing in 2010.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an Athletics Director who has exemplified superior achievement during their career at the Division II level. During his tenure at Alabama Huntsville, the Charger hockey team captured two NCAA championships and the teams won 18 conference titles. The softball team, in particular, qualified for four DII national championships and advanced to the title game twice.
From the beginning of his tenure, Harris established a tradition of winning and academic excellence. Regardless of the final score of a game, he stressed to his coaches, staff and student-athletes, the importance of high performance in the classroom as well. The student-athletes all benefited from knowing Harris, who implemented a fifth year senior scholarship program to assist student-athletes in fulfilling their goal to graduate.
Harris was a man who provided fair, consistent and honest leadership during his tenure. He believed that the athletics directors' role was to lead his/her program and advocate for the student-athletes, while making the tough decisions.
His passion and support for the student-athletes at UAH was apparent up until the end, urging caregivers to hurry up because he had a hockey game to go to.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award presented by the DII ADA. To be eligible for this award, a person must be at least 60 years old, or have spent at least 25 years in collegiate athletics, with a majority of those years as an AD. The honoree may be currently in the profession or retired.
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