Morris Earns CoSIDA Academic All-America Distinction

Morris Earns CoSIDA Academic All-America Distinction

AURORA, N.Y. – Senior Tyler Morris (Maryland, N.Y.) of the Wells College men's soccer team has been selected as a CoSIDA Academic All-American for his outstanding academic and athletic prowess in 2015, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Friday afternoon.

Morris, a double major in Physics and Computer Science, becomes only the second-ever recipient of Academic All-America honors from Wells College (Paul Hernon '15) and is one of only three recipients from the North Eastern Athletic Conference this year. Becoming the fifth-ever Academic All District selection last month, Morris earned Second Team Academic All-America recognition after posting a cumulative 3.99 grade-point average.

"This award is the epitome of what NCAA Division III athletics is all about," said Head Coach Dan Kane. "There is nobody more deserving of this prestigious award than Tyler. He is a great example of how one person's commitment, dedication, sacrifice and hard work can impact a community in profound ways."

Academically, Morris is a three-time NEAC Scholar-Athlete selection and secured NSCAA Scholar All-East Region Honorable Mention as a junior in 2014. He also serves as the President of the Physics Club at Wells and is a Teacher's Assistant in mathematics and physics. In addition to serving as a laboratory assistant in physics, he conducted a lengthy internship this summer with a solar power installation firm and is a regular attendee at the American Physical Society bi-annual meetings.

As a team captain of the men's soccer program in 2015, he has helped his team to a 13-7 overall record and a program-best 9-3 mark in North Eastern Athletic Conference. He helped his team to a 2-1 victory over Keuka on Nov. 7, clinching a spot in the NEAC Championship game for the first time in team history – against the Wolfpack, Morris assisted the game-tying goal in the 71st minute.

Serving as his team's starting centerback for the past two seasons, his defensive efforts have limited opponents to a 0.98 goals-against average across that span. Offensively, he has chipped in with two goals and his first collegiate assist in 2015.

Morris has appeared in 65 career games for the Express since 2012, scoring five goals and posting one assist for 11 points (5-1=11) while leading all field players in minutes played across the last two seasons. The Rookie of the Year for the men's soccer team in 2012, Morris has also competed on the men's swimming team where he helped three relays to top-10 records in only his first year as a swimmer in 2014.