North Carolina A&T Aggies football: Difference between revisions
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Many North Carolina A&T Aggie players have gone on to play football in the professional ranks. Former Aggie football player [[Elvin Bethea]] has been inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], while several former players; including [[Mel Phillips]], [[George Ragsdale]], [[George Small]], and [[Connell Maynor]] have gone on to become coaches for NFL and college teams. Players like [[Jesse Jackson]], and his son [[Jesse Jackson Jr.]] have made names for themselves in politics and civil rights activism. |
Many North Carolina A&T Aggie players have gone on to play football in the professional ranks. Former Aggie football player [[Elvin Bethea]] has been inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], while several former players; including [[Mel Phillips]], [[George Ragsdale]], [[George Small]], and [[Connell Maynor]] have gone on to become coaches for NFL and college teams. Players like [[Jesse Jackson]], and his son [[Jesse Jackson Jr.]] have made names for themselves in politics and civil rights activism. |
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===Aggies in the Pros=== |
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! colspan="2" style="background:#FFBC00; text-align:center;"|<span style="color:#001568;">Aggies in the NFL |
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! colspan="2" style="background:#001568; text-align:center;"|<span style="color:white;">NFL Draft selections |
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! Total selected: |
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| align=center|20 |
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! First picks in draft: |
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! 1st Round: |
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! colspan="2" style="background:#001568; text-align:center;"| <span style="color:white;">NFL achievements |
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! Total Players: |
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| align=center|57 |
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! In the [[Pro Bowl]]: |
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| align=center|1 |
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! In the [[Super Bowl]]: |
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| align=center|3 |
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! [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]]: |
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Over 70 former North Carolina A&T players have gone on to play professionally for the [[National Football League|NFL]], [[Canadian Football League|CFL]], [[American Football League|AFL]] and other leagues including: [[Jessie Britt]], [[Dwaine Carpenter]], [[Junius Coston]], [[Tom Day]], [[Curtis Deloatch]], [[Henry Douglas (American football)|Henry Douglas]], [[Cornell Gordon]], [[Michael Hamilton (American football)|Michael Hamilton]], [[Maurice Hicks]], [[Melvin Holmes]], [[Jason Horton]], [[Toran James]], [[Jamal Jones]], [[Qasim Mitchell]], [[Mel Phillips]], [[George Ragsdale]], [[George Small (American football)|George Small]], [[Maurice Smith (American football)|Maurice Smith]], [[Walter Stith]], [[Joe Taylor (American football)|Joe Taylor]], [[Dick Westmoreland]] and [[Donald Willis]].<ref>http://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/nocarolinaat/</ref><ref name=FB_MediaGuide09>{{cite web|title=2010 NC A&T Football Media Guide|url=https://admin.xosn.com/fls/24500//2013_2014%20All%20Results/2010_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=593291&SPID=74503&DB_OEM_ID=24500|website=ncataggies.com|publisher=North Carolina A&T Athletics|accessdate=23 September 2014}}</ref> |
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Other notable former Aggie football players include: [[Robert Jackson (American football coach)|Robert "Stonewall" Jackson]], the first player from a Historically Black College to be drafted into the NFL<ref name="Stonewall Jackson">{{cite web|title=Robert "Stonewall" Jackson - NCCU Hall of Fame Bio|url=http://nccueaglepride.com/hof.aspx?hof=124&path=&kiosk=|website=http://nccueaglepride.com|publisher=North Carolina Central University|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref>; [[Pro Bowl]] player [[J. D. Smith (running back)|J.D. Smith]]<ref name="J.D. Smith">{{cite web|title=J.D. Smith Bio|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/j.d.smith/2525969/profile|website=http://www.nfl.com|publisher=National Football League|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref>; [[Super Bowl]] champions [[Dwaine Board]]<ref name=Board>{{cite web|title=Dwaine Board Bio|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/coaches/dwaine-board/1dd73dc3-475d-4ef6-ba13-91392fcc16f8|website=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com|publisher=National Football League|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref>, [[Cornell Gordon]]<ref name=Gordon>{{cite web|title=Cornell Gordon Bio|url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/all_time/player/300-cornell-gordon|website=http://www.newyorkjets.com|publisher=National Football League|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref>, [[Troy Pelshak]]<ref name=pelshak>{{cite web|title=Troy Pelshak Statistics|url=http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=pelshtro001|website=http://www.justsportsstats.com|publisher=Just Sports Stats|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref>; and [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of fame]] inductee [[Elvin Bethea]]<ref name=Bethea>{{cite web|title=Elvin Bethea Pro Football Hall of Fame profile|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=26|website=http://www.profootballhof.com|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> |
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== Future non-conference opponents == |
== Future non-conference opponents == |
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| North Carolina A&T | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| File:NCAT Bulldog Logo.png | |||
| First season | 1901 | ||
| Head coach | 4th season, 12–10 (.545) | ||
| Stadium | Aggie Stadium (North Carolina A&T) (capacity: 21,500) | ||
| Field surface | Natural grass | ||
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina | ||
| All-time record | 461–415–46 (.525) | ||
| Bowl record | 3–4–0 (.429) | ||
| Claimed national titles | 3 | ||
| Conference titles | 11 | ||
| Consensus All-Americans | 33 | ||
| Current uniform | |||
| File:Nopicture.png | |||
| Colors | Navy Blue and Gold | ||
| Fight song | "Aggie Fight Song" "Old Aggie Spirit" | ||
| Mascot | Aggies | ||
| Marching band | Blue & Gold Marching Machine | ||
| Website | ncataggies.com | ||
The North Carolina A&T Aggies are the college football team representing the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Aggies play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
History
Early History (1901-1924)
In 1901, the team played its first game, losing to Livingstone College. The team played only one game during the 1901 season and did not field another team until 1906.[1] In the program's early years, the team would sporadically field teams, having periods between 1907-1911; 1913; and 1917 where there was no team. Due to the outbreak of World War I, the school did not field a team, but resumed play once again in 1919 competing against neighboring Bennett College.[2] It wasn't until 1923, that A&T's first coach of record, L.P. Byarm, would come along to lead the team.[3]
Home stadium
The Aggies play home football games at Aggie Stadium which opened in 1981. Before the construction of Aggie Stadium, North Carolina A&T Aggies played their home football games at Greensboro’s War Memorial Stadium, which was home to the nearby minor league baseball franchise. The university saw a great need to have an on campus stadium that could hold the growing number of fans attending home football games. Aggie Stadium was designed by architect W. Edward Jenkins, a North Carolina A&T alumnus, and opened in 1981. The first game played there was on September 12, 1981 against local rival Winston Salem State University to an overflow crowd of more than 23,000 fans.[4] To date, the largest single game attendance at Aggie Stadium was set in 2001 when 34,769 people were in attendance for a football game against the rattlers of Florida A&M University.
Culture
A&T football has traditions that range from the long standing, to new. The following are football traditions associated with the Aggie football program:
Marching band
The Aggie Football Team is supported by The North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine, the university's marching band. Started in 1918, it is one of the longest standing traditions of A&T football. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine perform the pre-game ceremonies, halftime, and post game for all A&T home football games, in addition to traveling to most away contests.
Mascot
"Aggie," sometimes referred to as the "Aggie Dawg" (or Aggie Dog), is the live mascot for North Carolina A&T. Although, the physical representation of the athletic teams is a bulldog, the term "Aggie" has a historical connection to the university. The term "Aggie" has long been used to refer to students who attend agricultural schools. Hence the reason the university adopted the nickname "Aggies" when the school was founded in 1891.[5]
Traditions
At the conclusion of all home games, and away games in which the marching band travels, the coaches, players, cheerleaders, and student section gather near the marching band to sing, the school song, Dear A&T. Another A&T football tradition is the Student section. The Aggie Livewires, have been the "official cheering section" of the Aggies since their inception in 1995. The Livewires are known for starting cheers, spreading spirit at athletic events, and their involvement on campus and the community at large. The student organization occupies section R in the West grandstand of Aggie Stadium, next to the band.
Rivalries
The Aggie's chief rival is it's in-state, and fellow MEAC competitor, North Carolina Central University. While its rivalry with North Carolina Central University is its most renowned and intense, North Carolina A&T has a historic rivalry with Winston-Salem State University, and to a lesser degree with South Carolina State University.
North Carolina Central University
Commonly referred to as the "Aggie–Eagle rivalry," this particular rivalry dates back to the first Aggie Football game in 1924; in which the game ended in a 13-13 tie. The intensity of the rivalry is driven by the proximity of the two schools, as both are only 55 miles apart via U.S. Interstate 85, the size of the two schools, as North Carolina A&T is the largest Historically Black College and University in the state with North Carolina Central being the second, and the fact that both schools are competing for many of the same students and athletes. Fans of both teams tend to place great emphasis on this rivalry and the intensity of it causes splits among many families, marriages, and other groups over their respective teams.
Winston-Salem State University
The rivalry with Winston-Salem State is arguably, the second most important rival of the Aggies. The series dates back to 1952, and has roots in the CIAA, where both teams were at one time members. The rivalry is driven by the close proximity of the two schools, as both are approximately 30 miles apart via U.S. Interstate 40, coaching personnel and conference ties once shared by both schools. Since Winston-Salem State's decision to discontinue the transition to Division I citing financial reasons, this rivalry has been placed on hold for the foreseeable future.[6]
South Carolina State University
The rivalry with South Carolina State is the most civil of the Aggie's chief rivals. The series dates back to 1958, and is driven by Conference alignment and proximity within the region. Both North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State are members of the MEAC, and are the largest public Historically Black colleges representing their respective states. Athletically, South Carolina State spoiled the Aggie's 2003 undefeated conference record when they handed A&T their only MEAC loss of the season with a 49-9 win in the regular season closer.[7] Currently, South Carolina State leads the series 30 wins to 19.
Individual honors
Players
MEAC Players of The Year
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Coaches
- MEAC Coach of the Year
- Hornsby Howell (1974, 1975)
- Jim Mckinley (1980)
- Mo Forte (1986)
- Bill Hayes (1991, 1999)
- George Small (2003)
All-Americans
Below is a list of All Americans selected by The Associated Press (AP)[8]
| Name | Position | Year(s) | All-America Team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demetrius Harrison | LB | 1989 | 2nd Team | |
| Craig Thompson | TE | 1991 | Honorable Mention | |
| Curtis Burgins | DB | 1993 | 3rd Team | |
| James White | RB | 1993 | Honorable Mention | |
| Ronald Edwards | OL | 1993 | Honorable Mention | |
| Leevary Covington | LB | 1993 | Honorable Mention | |
| Tim Johnson | LB | 1994 | Honorable Mention | |
| Chris McNeil | DE | 1997 | 1st Team | |
| Darryl Klugh | DB | 1999 | 2nd Team | |
| Curtis Deloatch | RS | 2001 | 1st Team | |
| Maurice Hicks | RB | 2001 | 3rd Team | |
Below is a list of All Americans selected by The American Urban Radio Network, American Sports Wire, Sheridan Black College Poll and other polls.[8]
| Name | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| John Daniels | C | 1938 |
| David Morris | DB | 1974 |
| Dwaine Board | E | 1978 |
| George Small | LB | 1978 |
| Ed Hooker | DB | 1987 |
| Demetrius Harrison | LB | 1989 [Notes 1] |
| Craig Thompson | TE | 1991 |
| Kevin Little | DL | 1991 |
| Knox Thompson | DL | 1991 |
| Rodney Edwards | LB | 1992 |
| Alonza Barnett | DB | 1992 |
| Ronald Edwards | OL | 1993 |
| Curtis Burgins | DB | 1994 |
| Jamaine Stephens | OL | 1995 |
| Monty Key | P | 1996 |
| Chris McNeil | DL | 1997[Notes 2] |
| Darryl Klugh | DB | 1999 |
| Anthony Nobles | OL | 2000 |
| Marcus Bryson | TE | 2001 |
| Maurice Hicks | RB | 2001 |
| Qasim Mitchell | OL | 2001 |
| Yonnick Matthews | K | 2003 |
Team achievements
National championships
North Carolina A&T has been awarded the Black college football national championship a total of 3 times in the program's history. Though this title is not recognized by the NCAA, it is awarded to the best historically black collegiate program competing in either the NCAA's Division I FCS level or Division II.
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In 1951, North Carolina A&T was awarded a national title outside of the Black college national championship.
Undefeated seasons
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Conference Championships
North Carolina A&T joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as a founding member in 1969. Before that the Aggies were members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), where they won 5 conference titles. Since joining the MEAC, A&T has claimed 6 conference titles.
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Bowl games
| Date Played | Bowl Game | Winning Team | Losing Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 1943 | Flower Bowl | North Carolina A&T (20) | Southern (12) |
| January 1, 1945 | Flower Bowl | Tyler Junior College (18) | North Carolina A&T (0) |
| January 1, 1949 | Vulcan Bowl | Kentucky State (23) | North Carolina A&T (3) |
| January 1, 1949 | Vulcan Bowl | Kentucky State (23) | North Carolina A&T (3) |
| December 10, 1949 | Orange Blossom Classic | North Carolina A&T (20) | Florida A&M (14) |
| December 2, 1978 | Gold Bowl | Virginia Union (21) | North Carolina A&T (6) |
| December 6, 1980 | Gold Bowl | North Carolina A&T (37) | North Carolina Central (0) |
| December 21, 1991 | Heritage Bowl | Alabama State (36) | North Carolina A&T (13) |
| Overall Bowl Record | 3-4 (7 games)[10] | ||
All-time record vs. current MEAC teams
This table reflects the results of MEAC matchups when both N.C. A&T and its opponent were members of the conference. A&T began MEAC play in 1970; this list has been updated through the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season.[11]
Notable PlayersMany North Carolina A&T Aggie players have gone on to play football in the professional ranks. Former Aggie football player Elvin Bethea has been inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while several former players; including Mel Phillips, George Ragsdale, George Small, and Connell Maynor have gone on to become coaches for NFL and college teams. Players like Jesse Jackson, and his son Jesse Jackson Jr. have made names for themselves in politics and civil rights activism. Aggies in the Pros
Over 70 former North Carolina A&T players have gone on to play professionally for the NFL, CFL, AFL and other leagues including: Jessie Britt, Dwaine Carpenter, Junius Coston, Tom Day, Curtis Deloatch, Henry Douglas, Cornell Gordon, Michael Hamilton, Maurice Hicks, Melvin Holmes, Jason Horton, Toran James, Jamal Jones, Qasim Mitchell, Mel Phillips, George Ragsdale, George Small, Maurice Smith, Walter Stith, Joe Taylor, Dick Westmoreland and Donald Willis.[13][14] Other notable former Aggie football players include: Robert "Stonewall" Jackson, the first player from a Historically Black College to be drafted into the NFL[15]; Pro Bowl player J.D. Smith[16]; Super Bowl champions Dwaine Board[17], Cornell Gordon[18], Troy Pelshak[19]; and Hall of fame inductee Elvin Bethea[20] Future non-conference opponents
At the start of the 2014 football season, it was announced that the Aggies have signed a one year contract to play the University of North Carolina Tarheels on September 12, 2015 in Chapel Hill. This game will mark the first meeting between the two teams.[21] Notes
References
External links |
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