I want to thank God , my Grand Parents, Parents, Wife ( Mary Skillern), New Hope Baptist Church, Family, Coaches, friends, Teachers and the University Of Kashmere for allowing me to achieve this prestigious award.

I have and will always keep a special place in my heart for the 1969 – 1970  Mighty Kashmere Rams ( Leon Strauss, Willie Ferguson, Sammy Rutherford, Michael Porter, Roy Cook, Jessie Lamb, L.J. Jenkins, Osborne Harvey ,Ray Miles, Willie Scott, Floyd Stargill, Larry Gray, Larry the toe Hamilton, Keith Jefferson, Frank Thierry, Timothy Daniels, Arthur Bynum, Roy Sydney, Gregory Smith, Michael Smith, Waymon Smith, Ronald Wiltz, Timothy Perrino, Tyrone Harland, David Everett, Timothy Gray, Russel Charles, Shelton Zenon, Donald Deacon Charles, Sammy the jet Johnson,  Delvin Road Runner Williams, Lewis Edmonson, Raymond Johnson, and last but not least Willie Shack Skillern). This group of young men dedicated themselves to function as a Team and not as individuals. Our 12-1 record is a testament of cohesiveness and love we still have for the game, one another, and the community. These characteristics were pass down from those who were trail blazers before us and will live on in the fibers of those after us.

 Accomplishments:

• Baptized at the age of 16.
• Ordained as a Deacon August 26,1979
• Sunday School Teacher at New Hope Baptist Church
• Graduated from the University of Kashmere with Honors in 1970.
• Jessie H. Jones Scholarship recipient 1970.
• B’Nai B’Rith recipient 1970
• Chosen to in turn with Encampment for Citizenship in Louisville Kentucky for six weeks in the summer of 1969 (mentoring elementary and high school students).
• Played on the12-1 University Of Kashmere Football Team
• Honorable mention 17AAAA All District
• Graduated from Gustavo’s Adolphus College located in St. Peter Minnesota with a double major (Business Administration and History) and played four years on the Varsity Football Team.
• We won the MIAC  Conference Championship in 1972 and Co  – Champs in 1971
• General Manager of Paradise Cemetery and Funeral Home