By Alma Solis, UTSA Athletics Communications
EDITOR'S NOTE: This feature appears in UTSA's game program for Saturday's contest with Houston. For the complete program, visit www.GoUTSA.com/program.
Going into his sixth season at UTSA, Frank Harris has overcome many obstacles in his extended collegiate career. From injuries to a global pandemic, the Roadrunners' star quarterback has relied on his community to get him through it all.
Growing up mainly in Converse, Texas, Harris had an affinity to the Judson Rockets, going to the games and looking up to the players as a young kid. Once high school came around, his parents wanted him to go to find a better fit for academics for their kids, so Harris joined his older brother at Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz, Texas.
Although the adjustment from a familiar school to a brand-new community was hard at first, Harris quickly found his family at Clemens. Just last week, he attended the Clemens Buffaloes' first football game of the season, where they beat Madison High School. He also put on a camp, along with teammate Rashad Wisdom, to give back to the kids back home. Through Clemens, he found lifelong friends that he still hangs out with and have kept his spirits up through the long journey, even looking forward to traditions he has made with them.
"Every Thursday before games, I go back to Schertz and go bird hunting with all my friends," Harris laughs. "It's like a tradition for me."
His parents and family have been a key asset to Harris' strength through all the years. Not only did his parents move to get him into a better high school, but they also motivated him to keep going and not give up on football, despite starting his collegiate career overcoming injuries.
"They always told me 'You start something, you have to finish it'," Harris stated. "I started playing football in college, I can't just give it away just because I'm battling through adversity. I was glad that it did happen to me because I wouldn't be the person I am today."
Because of his parents' support and motivation to keep going, Harris grew into a better player and a better person. When his teammates were at practice and he was recovering from various injuries, he was lifting and learning the playbook and trying to become a stronger, better football player so that when he did return, he could be the impactful player his teammates needed him to be. The extra time to work on himself helped him excel once he got back onto the field and truly cherish the game and the time he gets on the field.
"Being injured and watching and learning from [my teammates] gave me a better understanding," Harris explained. "When my time came, I understood what was going on. Growing over the years, maturing and learning the offense and things like that really benefitted me."
Winning a conference of championship and representing not only the big city of San Antonio, but also the smaller northeast side towns he calls home like Schertz and Converse, was a surreal moment that Harris will cherish forever.
"It didn't even feel real," Harris recounts. "All the obstacles that I've overcame to get to that moment. I chose UTSA and play football for that reason. When it all happened, it was a dream come true… It still gives me goosebumps when I see videos of it."
Coming off a phenomenal season in which he also set two single-season program records, the senior has been named to nearly every award watch list that any quarterback or football player dreams of being on. Despite the personal accolades, Harris remains true to being all for his team.
"I don't get caught up in awards for myself," Harris explained. "My goal is to win the game, win a conference championship, win a bowl game."
Through everything, Harris continues to hold a positive outlook and holds on to the sentiment that "everything happens for a reason."
