ST. LOUIS – Missouri State kicker Shelby Harris has been named the Bears' fall recipient of the 2016 State Farm MVC Good Neighbor Award, the Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday. The award was created by The Valley in an effort to honor the achievements of exceptional student-athletes.

Harris, a cell and molecular biology major with a 3.98 grade-point average, plans to attend medical school next fall after completing his undergraduate degree in May. On the field, the Nixa, Mo., product has gone 2-for-2 on extra points and converted his lone field goal attempt of the season against Southwestern College, after converting all five of his PAT tries in 2015.

A CoSIDA Academic All-District VI honoree last fall, Harris is a two-time MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award-winner, as well as a Maroon and White Scholar-Athlete in each of the last three years. His volunteer experiences include service to Mercy Hospital, the Ozarks Trail Council of Boy Scouts, Healthy Heroes, Convoy of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, Rutledge Wilson Farm's Fall Festival and the Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair.

Additionally, Harris is a founding member and current liaison of the Buddy Bears program, which involves 30 MSU student-athletes from six different sports in the mentoring of young children at Springfield Public School's Reed Academy, as well as a member of Student-Athletes for Excellence. He has participated in the Springfield Miracle League softball games and assisted with the coordination of a Bone Marrow Donor Registration drive last spring.   

A total of 10 student-athletes were named by MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for the 2016-17 fall season. In addition to Harris, this year's fall honorees include Taylor Thiele, Bradley, Volleyball; Reed Fischer, Drake, Men's Cross Country; Olivia Goldstein, Evansville, Volleyball; Sara Stankoskey, Illinois State, Women's Soccer; Shannon Murphy, Indiana State, Volleyball; Morgan Reardon, Loyola, Volleyball; Kelsey Hansen, UNI, Soccer; Billy Reed, Southern Illinois, Football; Dani Mostrom, Wichita State, Volleyball.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition. The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees.

Harris and the Bears (4-5, 2-4 MVFC) will embark on their final road trip of the season Saturday (Nov. 12), when MSU meets Illinois State for a noon kickoff at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Ill.

Previous Missouri State winners of the MVC Leadership and Service Award:
Fall 2007 - Carrie Vestal, women's cross country
Winter 2007-08 - Amy Crowder, women's swimming & diving
Spring 2008 - Chris Playter, baseball
Fall 2008 - David Arkin, football
Winter 2008-09 - Roxy Stiles, women's basketball
Spring 2009 - Jen Carr, softball
Fall 2009 - Terry Phillips, women's cross country
Winter 2009-10 - Will Creekmore, men's basketball
Spring 2010 - Scott Glenn, men's golf
Fall 2010 - Heath Melugin, men's soccer
Winter 2010-11 - Rene Smith, women's swimming & diving
Spring 2011 - Emily Matthews, women's golf
Fall 2011 - Ashlee Mason, volleyball
Winter 2011-12 - Christiana Shorter, women's basketball
Spring 2012 - Emily Beaver, women's track/cross country
Fall 2012 - Chelsea Voet, women's soccer
Winter 2012-13 - Jared Roberts, men's swimming & diving
Spring 2013 - Kimsue Grant, women's track & field
Fall 2013 - Caleb Schaffitzel, football
Winter 2013-14 - Bryonna Snow, women's basketball
Spring 2014 - Eric Straub, men's golf
Fall 2014 - Leah Reitmayer, field hockey
Winter 2014-15 - Tyler McCullough, men's basketball
Spring 2015 - Ali Trickey, softball
Fall 2015 - Tenaly Smith, women's cross country
Winter 2015-16 - Ibby Simcox, women's swimming & diving
Spring 2016 - Caroline Boone, women's golf
Fall  2016 - Shelby Harris, football