Hall of Fame
Averell Harris was one of the best wide receivers in school history. He lettered three years for Shippensburg and helped the Red Raiders win a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship in 1976, his senior year.
Harris grew up in Sewickly and arrived at Shippensburg in the fall of 1973. He played for the JV team his first year,In the fall of 1974, he earned a starting berth on varsity team. Harris finished the season with 14 catches for 198 yards and one touchdown.
In 1975 he led the team in receiving with 49 catches. He set records for the most yards receiving in a single game with 172, most yards in a season with 954, and most touchdown passes caught with nine.
Shippensburg went 8-2-1 in 1976 and won the PSAC Western Division. The tie occurred at the State Game when Shippensburg ended Eastern Division champion East Stroudsburg’s 19 game winning streak with a 14-14 deadlock. Harris finished the year with 36 catches for 525 yards and one touchdown.
For his career Harris had 99 catches for 1,677 yards and 11 TDs. He was an honorable mention All-American and a first team All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Davison player in 1976.
Following his senior year Harris was signed by the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He lasted until the final cut. He also had a try-out with the Buffalo Bills the following season. Harris played minor league football for the Chambersburg Cardinals for several seasons and helped the Cardinals win the national championship in 1979 and 1980. Harris then became the supervisor of the credit department for the Equitable Gas Co. in Pittsburgh while residing in his hometown of Sewickly.
