FLORENCE, Ala. -- University of North Alabama senior catcher Luke Harper of Meridian, Miss., has been awarded the 2022 Bob Stephenson Award in recognition of his support and dedication to the UNA baseball program.

The award was created in 2013 in honor of former long-time UNA faculty member and faculty athletic representative Robert E. "Bob" Stephenson to recognize his profound contributions to the program.

With the winner selected  by the baseball team members, coaches and staff, the award is presented annually to a Lion player who has contributed to the program on the field and in the classroom, showing great character, accountability and loyalty.

A three-year member of the UNA program, Harper completed his Bachelor's degree at UNA this spring.

He ranks fifth in the ASUN Conference in batting average at .373 and has a current streak of reaching base in UNA's last 26 straight games. He also had a 19-game hitting streak earlier this season.

The previous recipients of the Bob Stephenson Award are Andrew Almon (2013), Brantley Claunch (2014 & 2015), Blake Talley (2016), Tyler Joyner (2017), Shane Priest (2018), Peyton Sockwell (2019) and Reid Homan (2021).