Taking student athletes to the next level

Lamell Harris, who has held the position of Athletic Director at COS only since 2007, is already a popular figure on campus. 

“He has a lot of great stories but he’s too modest to tell them all,” said Irv Pankey, assistant football coach at COS.

Originally from San Francisco, Harris attended Pioneer High School in San Jose before attending West Valley Community College. Though Harris possessed excellent basketball talent, his dream out of high school was to get a scholarship and earn his degree. After completing his AA in general studies, Harris accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

“College is the best time of your life,” said Harris and he called the decision to attend Carroll College, According to Harris, attending college is an experience that every studentshould have the opportunity to do.

Harris fully took advantage of his college experience by becoming socially and academically involved. He served on a discipline review board and hosted a sports radio show in Helena.

Harris earned his degree in Social Work from Carroll College and returned to California to pursue his Master’s degree.

“I always felt I’d come back to California” said Harris.

He earned his Master’s degree in Counseling from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Before becoming an administrator he began his professional career in Social Work and served as an assistant basketball coach for Cal State Dominguez Hills. It was then when he was presented with opportunity to pursue a career as an athletic director. He participated in an NCAA mentoring program for Athletic Directors soon after.

Harris said when it comes to athletics the student need to realize that they are student first. 

“It’s a challenge to have them see the big picture, but that is my goal,” he said.
Harris said that he feels proud when athletes become great athletes at the next level but what he looks forward to most is getting the phone call saying that they’ve earned their degree.

This year in football alone, 18 student athletes will transfer to 4-year universities and with the conclusion of basketball, softball, baseball and the other spring sports, that number will definitely increase.