PITTSBURGH, Pa.–The annual SBN Sports Black College All-American Awards weekend (BCAA) took place February 28 and March 1, at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the weekend of activities included an awards ceremony honoring the 2013 SBN Black College All-American Team, a reception for honorees and guests, a mentoring brunch “NFL Skull Session” and a gala enshrinement dinner hosted by the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF).
On February 28, the 25 members of the 2013 SBN All-American Team were honored at a gala reception. The ceremony was hosted by Ty Miller, American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) Director of News, Sports and Digital Services. Each member of the team received a signature SBN All-American trophy and four special awards were given out as well. Southern Jaguars quarterback Dray Joseph received the “SBN/Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year” award, South Carolina State linebacker Joe Thomas received the “SBN/Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year” award, Tennessee State Head Coach Rod Reed received the “SBN/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year” award and the Tennessee State Tigers received the 2013 SBN/Jake Gaither National Championship trophy.
During Saturday’s NFL Skull Session, SBN All-Americans received mentoring from NFL Hall of Famers Mel Blount, Larry Little and John Stallworth. BCAA Honorary Committee Members Robert Brazile, Kenny Burrough, James Harris, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Eddie Robinson Jr., and Doug Williams were also in attendance.  Others attendees included Ricardo Lockette of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, Dominique-Rodgers-Cromartie of the Denver Broncos, Marcus Benard of the Arizona Cardinals, Will Ford of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Adrian Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens and Quinton Spears of the Dallas Cowboys. Members of the SBN All-American team received signature 2013 BCAA duffel bags and Wilson NFL footballs for autographs during the session.
The SBN All-American festivities preceded the 5th Annual Enshrinement of the BCFHOF which was co-hosted by Charles Davis and Steve Wyche of the NFL Network. Ron Davenport Sr., AURN Co-Chairman and Chairman of Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation was presented with the BCFHOF Founders Award. This annual award is presented to an individual who has helped ensure the ascension and success of Black College Football and the BCFHOF.
AURN President of Program Operations and Affiliations Jerry Lopes spoke on behalf of AURN and SBN Sports and introduced the 2013 SBN All-American Team, the offensive and defensive players of the year and National Championship Team to the 400 plus guests in attendance. The 2014 Hall of Fame class included: Robert Brazile (Jackson State), Leroy Kelly (Morgan State), Coach/Athletic Director Marino Casem (Alcorn State, Southern), John Stallworth (Alabama A&M), Michael Strahan (Texas Southern), Willie Totten (Mississippi Valley State) and Doug Wilkerson (North Carolina-Central).
For a visual recap of this year’s awards journal and ceremony, please visit:
https://www.aurn.com/webex.php?itemID=4553&categoryID=3
https://www.aurn.com/bcaa/
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