Temple University Athletics
Harper a Finalist for Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award
11.20.14 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Temple University is proud to announce that senior running back Kenneth Harper is one of three national finalists for The Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award honoring a collegiate football player from the states of Florida or South Carolina who has impacted the lives of others through giving and community service.
The award will be presented at The 5th Annual Premier Players of College Football charitable awards dinner on December 10, 2014, at the InterContinental Hotel in Tampa, FL. Harper will be joined by the other two finalists: QB Dylan Thompson of the University of South Carolina and FB Jordan Garside of Wake Forest.
Said Temple head coach Matt Rhule, "Kenny has been the quintessential role model for our program and has set a standard for which all players should follow. His body of work speaks for itself. Since his arrival from Gainesville, Florida, his involvement in his new community has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many people in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Kenny's commitment to academic excellence is only paralleled by his tireless work ethic and unquestionable desire to be the best teammate he can be on and off the field."
Harper, who spent the past summer interning at PNC Bank working with high-net-worth accounts and has already been offered a full-time position, has always been one of the first players to participate in the many charitable programs that the Temple Football team has supported. That list includes:
Freddie Solomon played his college football at the University of Tampa and went on to play for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons before joining the San Francisco 49ers where he helped win two Super Bowl championships. After 11 seasons as a wide receiver in the National Football League, the Sumter, SC, native known as "Fabulous Freddie" returned to Hillsborough Country to make a more lasting impression. Solomon devoted the next 21 years of his life to the youth of Tampa, working with the Sheriff's department to teach kids life lessons through football. Although he lost his battle to cancer in 2012, his efforts and lessons are still carried on in that community.
The award will be presented at The 5th Annual Premier Players of College Football charitable awards dinner on December 10, 2014, at the InterContinental Hotel in Tampa, FL. Harper will be joined by the other two finalists: QB Dylan Thompson of the University of South Carolina and FB Jordan Garside of Wake Forest.
Said Temple head coach Matt Rhule, "Kenny has been the quintessential role model for our program and has set a standard for which all players should follow. His body of work speaks for itself. Since his arrival from Gainesville, Florida, his involvement in his new community has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many people in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Kenny's commitment to academic excellence is only paralleled by his tireless work ethic and unquestionable desire to be the best teammate he can be on and off the field."
Harper, who spent the past summer interning at PNC Bank working with high-net-worth accounts and has already been offered a full-time position, has always been one of the first players to participate in the many charitable programs that the Temple Football team has supported. That list includes:
- Owls for the Cure – Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to support breast cancer awareness.
- A Mile in Her Shoes – international men's march to stop rape sexual assault, and gender violence.
- Diamond Street Clean-up – clean-up of neighborhood surrounding football practice facility
- Be the Match – annual Bone Marrow Drive.
- Habitat for Humanity – build and reconstruct homes.
- Read Across America Day – celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading to second graders.
- Thanksgiving Food Drive – collection and distribution of canned goods to local shelter.
Freddie Solomon played his college football at the University of Tampa and went on to play for the Miami Dolphins for three seasons before joining the San Francisco 49ers where he helped win two Super Bowl championships. After 11 seasons as a wide receiver in the National Football League, the Sumter, SC, native known as "Fabulous Freddie" returned to Hillsborough Country to make a more lasting impression. Solomon devoted the next 21 years of his life to the youth of Tampa, working with the Sheriff's department to teach kids life lessons through football. Although he lost his battle to cancer in 2012, his efforts and lessons are still carried on in that community.
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