Aug. 20, 2002

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior Joe Haro is one of 42 preseason candidates for the storied Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top running back by the SMU Athletic Forum.

Haro, a tailback from Clifton, N.J., was a consensus choice this summer for preseason All-Mountain West Conference. He is the league's leading returning rusher from a year ago after finishing with 1,107 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. After posting the fourth-best single-season rushing total in school history, he is the first 1,000-yard player to return to UNLV for another season since Kirk Jones in 1985. Haro also is a three-time academic all-conference honoree and is one of the most active Rebels in the community, which are also key ingredients for a Doak winner.

"The preseason candidates for the 2002 Doak Walker Award are not only being recognized for their excellence on the field, but also for their achievements in the classroom and in the community," Randall Goss, of the honor's organizing committee in Dallas, said. "We look forward to watching the progress of each of these outstanding student-athletes this fall."

The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists on November 19 and the Doak Walker Award Selection Committee will choose a finalist later that month. The winner will be announced on December 12 as part of ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Voters include former players, members of the media and special representatives.

Another MWC performer, BYU's Luke Staley, took home last year's award. Joining Haro on the 2002 list from the league was Colorado State's Cecil Sapp.