One might say R. J. Harper has put his athletic prowess and his Anthropology/ Sociology degree to the ultimate test as distinguished Vice President of Golf at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Company.
R. J. starred for the Lynx in football and baseball, earning national recognition as a running back and all-conference honors in both football and baseball. He was the Most Valuable Player on the 1977 Rhodes football team which posted an all-time best 9-1-1 record. In 1977 he finished the season as the top NCAA Division III receiver for a running back. An All College Athletic Conference tailback in 1977 and 1978, R. J.’s combination of speed, soft hands and elusive running rank him as one of Rhodes’ most versatile offensive threats ever.
For his accomplishments in the classroom and on the playing field, R. J. was Rhodes’ 1977 recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. An outstanding catcher in baseball, he was selected to the All College Athletic Conference team his junior and senior years.
Recognized as one of the leading golf professionals in the world, this past summer R. J. served as the Championship Director for the 2000 U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble Beach.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements as a student-athlete, his contributions to Rhodes and for the distinction he has brought to his alma mater in his professional career, we proudly induct R. J. HARPER into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 20th day of October, 2000.Â
