Courtesy of North Carolina Central Athletic Communications
DURHAM, N.C. – More than one million ESPN viewers witnessed the hard work of North Carolina Central football student-athletes pay dividends with a 23-14 triumph over Alcorn State in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Atlanta on Aug. 28.
What they did not see, however, are the results of the Eagles' hard work in the classroom.
Sixteen of the Eagles who started in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge currently boast a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) or better, including both game MVPs, all four running backs, the top three receivers, and six of the eight leading tacklers in season-opening victory.
In total, 44 NCCU football student-athletes maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, including 17 with a GPA of 3.5 or better, and seven with a GPA north of 3.8.
Out of 117 football student-athletes on the roster, 24 (20.5%) have already earned an undergraduate degree. Fourteen Eagles completed their bachelor's degrees at NCCU, while 10 transferred to NCCU with a degree in hand. Of the 24 graduates, 13 are studying for a second bachelor's degree, while 11 are pursuing a master's degree, including six in the MBA program.
The 24 NCCU Eagles that have already earned their undergraduate degrees are: Barry Campbell, Quentin Chaplin, Jamal Currie-Elliott, Jorden Freeman, E.J. Hicks, Ryan McDaniel, Robert Mitchell, Justin Nicholson, Noah Rainbow-Douglas, Daeshawn Stephens, Matt Stevens, Stephen Stokes, Isaiah Totten, Cole Williams, Noah Ellison (Wagner), Kareem Gaulden (Southeast Missouri State), Isiah Macklin (San Diego State), Arin Mannery (Portland State), Marcus McDonald (UNC Pembroke), Chidi Okonya (Duke), Desmond Quinerly (Saint Augustine's), Bruce Trigg (Morgan State), Tre Turner (Eastern Kentucky), Colby Warrior (Morgan State).
"Our goal as coaches, as leaders of young men, is to utilize the sport of football to provide a quality student-athlete experience with a first-class education that results in a degree and prepares them for life," NCCU head football coach Trei Oliver said.