2015 GSC Hall of Fame Spotlight: James E. Harris
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HERE for the complete 2015 GSC Hall of Fame release.
Career Highlights
- Served as an institutional administrator (Director of Athletics) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville from 1995-2010.
- Graduated with Bachelor's of Education from Bowling Green State University in 1971 and received his certificate in Sports Management in 1992.
- Was a member of the US Army and National Guard from 1971-77.
- Served on the Ohio State University athletic department's staff (1985-86), was the Assistant Athletic Director at Rice (1986-93), Associate Athletic Director at Utah State (1993-95).
- Oversaw two NCAA Division II National Championships in hockey and two NCAA DII South Region Titles in softball.
- Guided UAH to 16 GSC Titles in men's soccer (2), baseball, men's cross country, softball (8) and women's cross country (4).
- During his tenure, 43% of student-athletes maintained a 3.0 or better GPA.
- Implemented '4.0 Recognition Night' in honor of student-athletes that earned a 4.0 GPA each semester.
- Helped start the College Hockey America Conference (CHAC) when the elimination of NCAA DII hockey threatened the program at UAH.
- Completed renovations to UAH's Spragins Hall.
- Brought UAH baseball and softball to campus (his career-long dream for UAH) in 2006.
- Was the 2001 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year.
- Received the NACDA Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously) in 2011 and was also inducted into the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2013.
Institutional Statement
"Mr. Harris was an outstanding administrator and guided UAH through tough financial times, tragedy on the campus and tragedy within the athletic department. He was a quiet and strong leader. Rock solid and consistent. He loved to win and nothing gave him greater joy than winning, but winning was not everything he belived in. He believed in the athlete as a 'student', first. He believed in following the rules, making the grade and giving your best effort. Harris knew our financial limitations and insisted we would flourish in spite of them. His mantra was always, 'Just get it done'."
Previous 2015 GSC Hall of Fame Spotlights
5/18/2015 - Tommy Thomas, Valdosta State
5/19/2015 - Rachel Price, North Alabama