Williams Named ARA Finalist
November 04, 2009 02:25 PM | General
By MSNsportsNET.com
November 4, 2009
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| Reed Williams |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia football player Reed Williams has been named one of 10 finalists for the Awards and Recognition Association's annual sportsmanship award, announced today by the ARA.
The award is given to one outstanding NCAA Division I collegiate football player who best personifies the spirit of sportsmanship. The 2009 Sportsmanship Award recipient will be chosen from one of these 10 finalists and announced this December. Finalists are represented from a variety of schools of all sizes throughout the United States from West Virginia and Kansas to Indiana and Illinois.
“As the only national award that recognizes an athlete’s character and leadership as it translates to sportsmanship, the ARA Sportsmanship Award was created five years ago to shed light on these positive traits,” said Glenn Beckworth, president of the ARA.
Williams was named a first team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American in 2007, and is a finance major who has earned multiple selections to the Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll. The Moorefield, W.Va, native has also been named a Big East Academic All-Star as well as a Dean's List recipient.
To qualify for the award, an athlete must be a starting player or significant contributor on his team; be an athlete in good academic standing; demonstrate great respect for competitors, school, teammates and coaches; show an ability to accept victory and defeat graciously; convey a high degree of humility and integrity; and demonstrate commitment in the classroom and to the community.
Former Brigham Young University Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards chairs the selection committee. “We’re uncovering some of the finest players the sport has to offer. These young men have a common thread of a positive attitude, strong work ethic and sense of fair play that is translated to their conduct on and off the playing field,” notes Edwards.
