Coker's Morris Named Capital One Academic All-American

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College basketball player Andrew Morris has been named to the 2012-13 Capital One Academic-All America men's basketball team. Morris was named to the second team for Division II.

"This recognition proves that Andrew is not just a great player but is also on top of his class as a student," head men's basketball coach Dan Schmotzer said. "I've never been more proud of an award given to one of my players than this one. He is an all-conference player in basketball, but to get All-American status for academics is really what you come to play for."

Morris is the first player from the Coker men's basketball team to achieve All-American status academically since the school transitioned from NAIA to NCAA affiliated. Former basketball player Terrance Hayes was an academic All-American when the school was NAIA.

On Feb. 1, Morris was named to the Capital One All-District first team. As a first-team selection, he was automatically qualified for All-American status.

To be eligible for academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Morris is a senior business major with a 4.0 grade-point average. On the court, Morris, a guard, is averaging nearly 12 points and four rebounds per game for the Cobras through 22 games. He was a Conference Carolinas third team all-conference selection for the 2011-12 season.

Morris transferred to Coker after a two-year stint at New Mexico Junior College. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Andrew is the son of Richard and Rosemary Morris.

For more information, contact Chris Dougherty, manager of athletics media relations, at 843-383-8018 or cdougherty@coker.edu.

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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the "Best Colleges" in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.