Williams Named Sullivan Semifinalist

FAYETTEVILLE – Former University of Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams was named one of 12 semifinalists for the 81st Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award on Thursday.

Presented annually since 1930, the Sullivan Award honors the nation's most outstanding amateur athlete and is based on leadership, character and sportsmanship. Past winners include Michael Phelps, Michael Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Carl Lewis, Edwin Moses, Michelle Kwan and Mark Spitz.

Williams ended his Arkansas career this past season as part of the first team in school history to play in a BCS game. He had 152 career receptions, the second-highest total in school history and the most by a non-wide receiver, and 1,855 receiving yards, which ranks eighth on UA's all-time list. He won the Disney Spirit Award, which is given to the most inspirational figure in college football, on Nov. 15 and was named the Mackey Award Winner as the nation's top tight end on Dec. 9. He was the first Razorback to win either award.

In his final season, the Little Rock, Ark., native led the team with 54 receptions, the fourth-highest single-season total in school history, and accounted for 627 receiving yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He was named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press and the conference's coaches and also was named to the SEC Community Service Team. His 4.2 receptions-per-game average ranked seventh in the SEC.

The 2010 winner will be announced at a ceremony in New York on March 14.

2010 Sullivan Award Semifinalists
Blair Brown, Penn State Women's Volleyball
Jimmer Fredette, BYU Men's Basketball
Robert Hoadley, UNC Greensboro Men's Golf
Regina Jaquess, USA Water Skiing
Alix Klineman, Stanford Women's Volleyball
Evan Lysacek, USA Men's Figure Skating
Maya Moore, Connecticut Women's Basketball
Cam Newton, Auburn Football
Elena Pirozhkova, USA Women's Wrestling
Tahnee Robinson, Nevada Women's Basketball
D.J. Williams, Arkansas Football
Karrissa Wimberley, USA Baton Twirling