As the class of 1988 celebrates their 20th class reunion during this Homecoming weekend, we celebrate their classmate and our third inductee into the 2008 Maryville College Wall of Fame Class, two-sport standout Jason Harbison.

Jason graduated in May of 1984 from Fulton High School in Knoxville. The ability to play two sports early in his collegiate career and stay close to home was a big determining factor in this local standout becoming a Fighting Scot.

His first year on the gridiron in the fall of 1984 was under the direction of second year Head Coach Bobby Saylor. While quarterback Pat Moyer connected with Chris Johannsen on offense, Jason played both offense and defense before settling in on his role as a linebacker and punter for the Scots. Jason’s Scots won during his first collegiate game over ODAC rival Hampden-Sydney 13-12. His defense shut out Baptist 37-0 later in the season.

In the spring of 1985, Jason found himself on the MC baseball field playing third base for the Scots as a freshman. He finished the season hitting .292 after collecting 31 hits and 17 runs batted in. He paced Maryville in games played (33), at-bats (106), doubles (8), and assists (60). His Scots played Tennessee for the last lime in school history and lost to former major leaguer Steve Searcy by the score of 11-10.

During his sophomore campaign in the fall of 1985, the football Scots swept all the Kentucky schools on the schedule. Maryville took down Union, shut out Centre, and defeated Cumberland on the season. Harbison and John McLeod were the main forces on MC’s stingy defense.

In the spring of 1986, Jason was ready to excel at Scotland Yard. The steady third baseman once again improved at the plate. He finished the season hitting .389 with 42 hits and 31 runs batted in. He paced the Scots offense with six homeruns and posted an amazing .500 on base percentage. To state it blountly, he was on base 1 out of every 2 at-bats! After starting the season with three hits each off of Bridgewater and ETSU he ended the season with 11 multi-hit games on the year.

Jason’s junior year began with a new football coach, Larry Stephens, in the fall of 1986. The Scots posted strong victories over Washington & Lee, Sewanee, and Tennessee Wesleyan. With Harbison’s relentless pressure on the quarterbacks and ability to fill the gap on a run, MC’s defense forced 17 interceptions mostly collected by Mike Walsh and Ryan Shelton.

Jason’s junior season in the spring of 1987 showed his versatility as an athlete. Just before the beginning of the season, a pre-season scrimmage resulted in the loss of MC’s starting catcher for the season. Jason did not hesitate and filled the void behind the plate with ease. He hit .347 while leading the team in hits (34), doubles (9), and RBI’s (23).

The fall of 1987 was a special season for the Knoxville native. The outside linebacker earned All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference accolades for his efforts on defense and also excelled as a punter on special teams. His kicking also earned him All-ODAC honors as a senior. Jason was very appreciative to have the opportunity to have played under defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Jim Pavao for three seasons.

His final year on the diamond, he split time behind the plate and at the hot corner. He excelled where ever he was needed to help the team succeed. The All-Conference slugger finished the season hitting .398 while leading the Scots with a .554 slugging percentage.

Following his senior season, the career .354 hitter who amassed 140 career hits and earned three All-ODAC selections in a pair of sports, was named Maryville’s J.D. Davis Award Winner.

Upon graduation Jason played baseball in Spain, Czechoslovakia, Sweden, and Holland for three months and had the ability to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with Athletes in Action. The experience gave Jason an appreciation of how blessed and privileged we are to live in the United States.

This Maryville College Business Administration major with a dual minor in accounting and economics put his degree to work at Knox Rail Salvage. He is presently the Vice President at Knox Rail Salvage.

He is supported by his lovely wife Nancy and his boys Jordan (17) and Jonathan (16).

Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome one of Maryville’s best two-sport student-athletes our third 2008 Wall of Fame Inductee, Jason Harbison.