KINGSVILLE, Texas - Shippensburg University senior split end Mike Harris was named to the Division II Coaches All-America team on Tuesday morning by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), becoming just the fourth player in school history to receive the honor.  

Harris becomes the first Red Raider All-American since current Atlanta Falcon defensive back Brent Grimes was honored by the nation's coaches in 2005. Current Green Bay Packer fullback John Kuhn earned an award in 2004 and defensive lineman Chad Oberholzer was honored in 2001.

The East Earl native is one of two PSAC athletes to earn the prestigious honor in 2009. He joins IUP's Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, who was honored as an all-purpose player. The PSAC has now had five All-Americans over the last two years, including wide receivers in consecutive seasons (West Chester's Mike Washington was honored in 2008).

The PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Year, Harlon Hill regional finalist and Daktronics All-Super Region 1 First Team selection, Harris concluded his tenure at Shippensburg as just the 14th player in PSAC history to compile 3,000 receiving yards (197 career receptions, 3,000 career receiving yards).

Just the second player in program history to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season, Harris's 62 receptions for 1,018 yards during the 2009 season marks just the second time in school history that a player has also achieved this feat in back-to-back campaigns. Harris and Jamie Ware are the only two players to record these honors in a Red Raider uniform.

Harris also finished his career with the school record for the most career games with a touchdown reception (20), breaking Ed Noon's mark. His 25 career touchdowns are also just one short of Ware's school record. He is the third Red Raider to compete in the Cactus Bowl over a six-year span, joining current NFL players John Kuhn (2005) and Brent Grimes (2006).

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions. The five teams now chosen for each AFCA division evolved from a single 11-player squad in 1945. From 1945 until 1967, only one team was chosen. From 1967 through 1971, two teams, University Division and College Division, were selected.

In 1972, the College Division was split into College I and College II. In 1979, the University Division was split into two teams — FBS and FCS. In 1996, the College I and College II teams were renamed Division II and Division III respectively. In 2006, the AFCA started selecting an NAIA-only team.

From 1965-81, a 22-player (11 offensive, 11 defensive) team was chosen. In 1982, a punter and placekicker were added to the team. In 1997, a return specialist was added, giving us the current 25-player team. The return specialist position was replaced by an all-purpose player in 2006.