Harris adds academic all-America honor

FAYETTEVILLE – Already the most decorated soccer player in University of Arkansas Lady Razorback history in terms of academics, senior Allison Harris added another honor to her ever-growing resume when she was named second-team ESPN The Magazine Academic all-America on Tuesday morning.

Harris’ honor is the highest ever achieved by a Lady Razorback soccer player eclipsing the third-team selection that she earned in 2006 and the third-team honor achieved by former Lady’Back Julie Williford in 2003.

“This is a well deserved honor,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “Alli has been a leader on this team for several years and to see her get the recognition which she has both on and off the field this year is very gratifying to us as coaches. We wish Alli all the best in her future endeavors.”

Harris earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average over eight semesters at Arkansas and is on her way to a ninth. She is the first Lady Razorback soccer athlete to earn an unblemished academic record and for her efforts was named the Southeastern Conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year just two weeks ago.

Not just an exceptional student, Harris is the epitome of scholar-athlete. She also became the 11th Lady Razorback in school history to earn all-SEC honors when she was tabbed as a second-team player. Harris ended her playing career second on Arkansas’ all-time list for games started (78) and fifth on the games played list (78). She scored three goals and added nine assists during her five seasons in Fayetteville.

Harris’ road to academic all-America began with a nomination process that screens student-athletes based on their cumulative grade point average (3.2), grade (sophomore or higher) and eligibility status (must have played in 50% of team’s contests). She was voted on at the district level against other student-athletes in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas where she was named first-team all-district making her eligible for the academic all-America award.

For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.