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COLLEGE
STATION-Texas A&M Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced today the hiring
of Raymond M. Harrison, Jr., as Senior Associate Director of athletics. Harrison will oversee
the athletics department's student-athlete services division, including
academic support, Life Skills and community outreach. Harrison will serve
as the athletics department's liaison to the faculty and admissions' office.
Additionally, Harrison will oversee the strength and conditioning and sports
medicine programs, the football program, and the men's and women's track and
field, and cross country programs. Many of Harrison's responsibilities
were formerly held by Dr. John Thornton who retired in August.
"We are very
pleased to have Raymond Harrison and his family join our athletics department
team" stated Eric Hyman. "Raymond has had quite a successful career,
highlighted by the unparalleled academic success the South Carolina
student-athletes have had under his tutelage. Having been a former
athlete and coach, Raymond understands the challenges student-athletes face
today."
Harrison has
served the University of South Carolina student-athletes as Director of Academics,
Associate Athletics Director for Academics and Life Skills, and Senior
Associate Athletics Director for Academics and Student Support since 2006.
During his tenure
at South Carolina, Harrison developed one of the most academically accomplished
athletics departments in the Southeastern Conference. Gamecock
student-athletes maintained a department grade point average of above 3.0 for
11 consecutive semesters and led the SEC Honor Roll for six consecutive years
under Harrison's leadership. APR scores steadily improved including an
impressive 950 APR for all 19 teams in the 2010-11 academic year.
As the
administrative supervisor of academics and student support, Harrison hired and
evaluated over 200 full- and part-time staff, and maintained daily responsibility
of the 40,000 square foot Dodie Anderson Academic Support Center.
Beyond oversight
of the academic and student development programs, Harrison served as liaison to
University legal counsel, University office of student conduct and academic
integrity, and University law enforcement. Harrison worked with
University advising and admissions, as well as numerous faculty
committees.
Harrison
supervised three sports programs, comprising over 150 student-athletes,
including softball, equestrian and men's and women's swimming and diving.
Prior to his
stint at the University of South Carolina, Harrison spent six years at the
University of Louisville. He served as Assistant Director of Academics
for the men's basketball and volleyball programs. Louisville reached the
NCAA Final Four in 2005 while Harrison served as Assistant Strength Coach for
the men's basketball program.
Harrison was a
football student-athlete at the University of Cincinnati where he graduated
with a bachelor's and a master's degree.
"I have great
respect for Eric Hyman, his values and leadership. He has articulated his
vision for Texas A&M and I am anxious to join him and the team on the
journey," stated Harrison. "There are so many things that attracted our
family to Texas A&M University," stated Harrison. "We are very
thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a fine institution of
tradition, values and higher learning. We want to thank the University of
South Carolina for allowing us to make an impact during our 7 years there."
The Chicago
native and his wife, Jamala, have two sons, Emil (7) and Evan (10 months).
Raymond M. Harrison, Jr.
Master of Education, Educational Foundations (2004)
University
of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bachelor of Arts, African American Studies (1997)
University
of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
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