University of Tennessee Athletics
HARALSON SELECTED TO AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM
September 14, 2005 | Football
Sept. 14, 2005
Coach Fulmer | R. Gandy | P. Harlson on making Good Works Team
Tennessee senior Parys Haralson headlines the 2005 American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team with his selection to the 11-man Division I-A squad.
A third-year starter at defensive end from Flora, Miss., Haralson becomes the second Volunteer in the last three years to make the prestigious team and is the eighth overall selection from Tennessee. Kevin Burnett was a 2003 pick, joining former Vols Bubba Miller (1995), Peyton Manning (1996 and 1997), Jeff Hall (1998) and David Leaverton (2000) on the team.
"That's a great honor, a well-deserved honor," head coach Phillip Fulmer said. "Parys is very involved in the community. We have a good number of guys who go out of their way. It would be easy for them not to take the effort to help this community, but they go out of their way to help."
Haralson has volunteered more than 155 hours during his career for various organizations and activities such as the Tennessee Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club, Sacred Heart School, Keep America Beautiful and Team Focus camp. He helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity, passed out turkeys during the Thanksgiving holiday and participated in Special Spaces, working with terminally ill children. Haralson also volunteered time at April Play Day, Tom Joyner Sky Show and National Crime Victim's Week.
"It's something I've been doing since I've been here, giving back to the community," Haralson said. "Whatever you can do, you know, there's always something good you can do."
Other Southeastern Conference representatives on the team were Auburn's Will Herring and Georgia's D.J. Shockley. Carson-Newman's Joey King made the team representing NCAA divisions I-AA, II, III and NAIA.
The two 11-man teams honor players for their dedication and commitment to community service. From 1992-96, the Good Works Team was selected by the College Football Association. When the CFA disbanded in 1997, the AFCA began selecting the teams.
"It never ceases to amaze me to see the contributions student-athletes make to their communities," AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff said. "Often times, these young men are better known for the good things they do on the field. The AFCA is proud to recognize these student-athletes for the good things they do in their communities."
Nominations were submitted to the AFCA by the college sports information departments. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community service activities.
Candidates must display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. Athletic ability is not a criterion.
2005 AFCA Good Works Team (Division I-A)
QB Shawn Bell, Baylor; DE Parys Haralson, Tennessee; FS Will Herring, Auburn; LB Doug Justice, North Carolina; WR Mark LeFlore, Nebraska; FB Victor Mann, Kansas State; DE Leon Moore, UNLV; Dan Nelson Jr., UCLA; QB D.J. Shockley, Georgia; OL Matt Traina; Tulane; and QB Vince Young, Texas.
VOLS FACE CROWD DIFFICULTIES IN GAINESVILLE
Crowd noise was the order of the day as Tennessee reached the midpoint of its preparations for Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener at Florida. How well the Vols handle the hostile environment at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will go a long way toward deciding the outcome of this intense start to the season.
"I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was helpful," head coach Phillip Fulmer said of the blaring speakers at Haslam Field. "We've been doing crowd noise for every year that I've been here and this year we even started it back during camp, knowing that these next two weeks were going to be real challenges as far as managing the noise.
"It's not the end-all, but I think it helps."
Tennessee, visits No. 6 Florida this week before traveling to No. 3 LSU a week from Saturday. The Vols are tied for fourth in the USA Today coaches' poll and stand fifth in the Associated Press writers' poll.
"Today was OK, probably not as sharp as I would have liked," Fulmer said of Wednesday's workout. "Probably too many let's-do-it-over plays and you don't get those in a game. But that's why you practice, so tomorrow should be better."
INJURY UPDATE (Florida Week): Probable -- OG Ramon Foster (foot), C Richie Gandy (knee), DE Jared Hostetter (knee), C David Ligon (ankle), WR Robert Meachem (ankle); Questionable -- LB Jason Mitchell (knee); Out -- DB Jarod Parrish (knee); Out for Season -- QB Jonathan Crompton (shoulder), OL Cameron Mayo (knee), LB Rico McCoy (ankle).
