December 10, 2003

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that former Simpson College basketball player Jesse Harris (Clive, Iowa/Valley HS) has been named the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2002-03 academic year.

“I wish that everyone reading this had the opportunity to review the materials submitted by and on the behalf of Jesse Harris and [IIAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year] Jessica Jensen. Not only do their resumes include national championships, multiple-year finalists for national player of the year, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, unselfish commitments to serving their communities and a profound impact on the faculty and student body on their campuses; but these two individuals clearly demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the impact that participation in Division III athletics will have on the rest of their lives,” IIAC Commissioner John Cochrane said. “It is the development of genuine leaders like Jessica and Jesse that continues to inspire confidence in the future and a strong sense of fulfillment for those of us that have chosen Division III athletics as our profession. They serve as a tremendous source of pride for Buena Vista University, Simpson College, the entire Iowa Conference and they represent the mission of our institutions to the fullest extent.”

Harris graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2003 with a 3.967 grade point average as a History and Political Science double major. He was named to the Simpson College President’s List with a 4.0 GPA five times and the Dean’s List three times. He was awarded an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship, was a finalist for a NACDA Post-Graduate Scholarship and was a state finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship. Harris received the 2003 Simpson Outstanding Senior in Political Science Award and Historical Studies Award, and received the 2003 Simpson College Barborka Award for excellence on and off the court.

“It was always a pleasure to see Jesse’s name on a class roster at the beginning of the semester. I consider myself quite fortunate to have read his name off these lists on three occasions. Jesse was always an asset in the classroom where his quiet reserve is well balanced by incisive analysis, exemplary writing skills and an admirable work ethic,” Assistant Professor of History Nicolas Proctor said. “His abilities are manifold. His papers consistently provide a detailed and thoughtful analysis of whatever question is at hand. His classroom comments are succinct and to the point, and his examinations reveal an ability to think under pressure. As an exemplar of the student-athlete, Jesse reminds everyone that these two areas are complementary rather than antagonistic.”

During his time at Simpson, Harris was very active working with individuals with special needs. He served as a counselor/coach at the Central Iowa Special Needs Basketball Camp from 1999-2003 and was a Heartland Special Needs Swimming Counselor from 2000-2003. Harris also ran a voter registration drive at Simpson in the fall of 2000 and served as a member of the Simpson College President’s Committee of Civility/Civic Responsibility Committee. He interned in the office of Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell and he currently serves as the field organizer for John Edwards for President Campaign in five Iowa counties.

“Jesse was truly a student-athlete for us and was highly focused in pursuit of excellence in his academic work and in his performance on the court. He was a highly respected student on campus and will be highly successful in his chosen career.” Simpson basketball coach Bruce Wilson said. “Jesse was an excellent player in our program. He was one of our hardest working players and was a great team player. He led by example and was an excellent role model for our young players.”

Harris graduated as Simpson’s fifth all-time leading scorer with 1,573 career points (15.4/game) and was an honorable mention All-American by Division III News as a senior. After being named the team’s Freshman of the Year in 1999-2000, he was the team Most Valuable Player his final three seasons.

A four-time All-Conference performer, including three times being named to the First Team, he was a two-time finalist for the Jostens Trophy, presented annually to the NCAA Division III Player of the Year. Harris was named to the Iowa Conference All-Academic Team twice, he was named CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team three times and a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America® twice.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was first presented in December 2001 for the 2000-01 academic year. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete shall have graduated or exhausted their athletic eligibility during the academic year for which the award is given. He must have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and achievement in a varsity sport, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and show evidence of scholarly achievements, community service involvement and leadership.

The Duane Schroeder IIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards are named in honor of former Wartburg College sports information director Duane Schroeder. Schroeder served as Wartburg’s SID for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. Upon his retirement from his sports information duties, he was named SID Emeritus and served as Wartburg’s News Director until 2001. During much of his four decades at Wartburg, Schroeder served as the IIAC’s secretary and treasure.

Also nominated for the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year were former Buena Vista University basketball and tennis player Chris Petersen, former Coe College football player and track and field performer Scott Searcy, former Cornell College football and basketball player Eric Sudol, former Loras College wrestler Paul Cleary, former Luther College soccer player Matt Landers, and former Wartburg College football player Garrett Rettig.

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