Williams earns spirit award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Razorback Foundation, honors football player D.J. Williams as the Spirit of the Razorback award winner at its annual Razorback Red Tie Dinner, auction and Salute to Excellence Awards banquet Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, Ark.

This year marks the 13th season the Razorbacks have honored a student-athlete. In addition, it is the largest group of honorees with six student-athletes being recognized.

Williams is one of six student-athletes who will be honored. A Mackey Award semifinalsit, Williams was an All-SEC preseason pick who is very active in community service. Williams’ service activities include participation in Razorback for a Day, Together We Can, Volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sisters and Lift Up America.

"We are proud to recognize the many accomplishments of these six extraordinary student-athletes," Long said. "These young men and women are outstanding representatives of the University of Arkansas and the more than 462 student-athletes in the Razorback program. We look forward to a memorable evening as the University community, the athletic department and friends of the Razorback program come together to celebrate the achievements of our honorees in the classroom, in athletic competition and in the community."

The 2009-10 honorees include two Razorback Scholar-Athlete award winners in Katie Stripling (women’s track and field) and Dorian Ulrey (men’s track and field), three Razorback Athletes of the Year in Michelle Stout (gymnastics) and Casey Jo Magee (gymnastics) and Ben Tschepikow (baseball) and the Spirit of the Razorback Award winner, Williams.

Each year, the Razorbacks recognize student-athletes whose performance throughout their careers serves to lift up their sport to new heights and whose character exemplifies the goals of the athletic department.

In addition to the dinner, attendees will enjoy a social hour before dinner as well as live and silent auctions.

This year’s event takes place at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, Ark., and tickets are available to the general public for $100 each. In addition, table sponsorships are available. For tickets or more information about being a sponsor call Jessica Dorrell at 479-575-7141 or email her at jdorrell@uark.edu.

SPIRIT OF THE RAZORBACK AWARD – D.J. WILLIAMS, FOOTBALL-Mackey Award Semifinalist, AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominee-All-SEC Preseason First-Team (media) and All-SEC Preseason Second-Team (coaches)-College Football Performance Awards National Tight End of the Week -Two-time Honorable Mention Tight End Performer of the Week -Active in community service projects: Razorback for a Day, Together We Can, Volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sisters, Lift Up America-Member of SAAC for 2009-10 and last year was involved in the Christmas Shop Razorback SAAC program-In May of 2009, he was selected to represent the University of Arkansas at the National Student-Athlete Development Conference at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.