February 22, 2003
(Release courtesy of Matt Turk, SID, Simpson College)

INDIANOLA, IOWA . . . Simpson senior forward Jesse Harris (Clive, Iowa/Valley HS) was named as one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy Feb. 21. This is the second year in a row that he has been named as one of the 10 finalists for the trophy which is emblematic of the Division III Player of the Year. The award will be presented March 20 in Salem, Va. during the NCAA Division III Men's National Championships.

Harris was selected first team Verizon Academic All-Region VII for the third straight year Feb. 17. Harris carries a 3.967 grade point average in his double majors of history and political science. Harris will advance to the Verizon Academic All-American ballot where he will be up for Academic All-American honors for the second straight year. He was selected first team Verizon Academic All-American in 2002. The Verizon Academic All-America® Team will be announced on Mar. 6.

He surpassed the 1,500 career point plateau when he scored 24 points against Cornell Feb. 14. The IIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week ending Dec. 8, the 6-5 Harris has scored 1,538 points and is seven points from moving past fifth place David Otte on the Simpson scoring chart. Harris is a DIII News preseason All-American. He was a finalist for the 2002 Jostens Trophy, emblematic of the Division III Player of the Year.

The Jostens Trophy seeks to honor the true Division III student-athlete: excellence in the classroom, on the playing court and in the community. The finalists are voted on by a national selection committee that consists of college coaches, former athletes, college administrators and selected members of the media. The members of the national selection committee cast their votes based on three criteria: basketball ability, academic ability and community service. The 2002 Jostens Trophy winner was Buena Vista University’s Adam Jones.

2003 Jostens Trophy Finalists
Kevin Bartow, Maryville (Mo.)
Willie Chandler, Misericordia
Joe Corbett, Hobart
Patrick Glover Johnson State
Jesse Harris, Simpson
Robert Hennigan, Emerson
Ryan Hepp, Willamette
Joel Kolmodin, Wheaton (Ill.)
Derek Reich, Chicago
Steve Zieja, Amherst

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