Shepherd University Athletics

Jimmy Violand

VIOLAND PLAYS IN 5TH ANNUAL EAST COAST BOWL

Courtesy of Joseph F. Miller - National Football Foundation

PETERSBURG, Va. - Shepherd University's OL Jimmy Violand (Columbia, MD/Oakland Mills HS) participated in the Fifth Annual East Coast Bowl on November 26, 2005 at historic Cameron Field in Petersburg, Virginia.

Sponsored by the City of Petersburg, and the Commonwealth Chapter, National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, the 2005 East Coast Bowl featured 69 senior student-athletes from 32 different colleges, showcasing top All-Star talent from NCAA Division II, and III programs, and Division I-AA (non-scholarship), as well as the NAIA. The selected athletes came from over 250 player nominations representing over 62 colleges. This year's game attracted pro scouts from nine National Football League teams, two Canadian Football League teams, and numerous Arena League teams.

The East Coast Bowl rewards top senior athletes for their 4 years of hard work on the field and in the classroom. Net revenues from the game support funding for college scholarships to high school student-athletes who exemplify the qualities of "Scholarship, Citizenship, Leadership and Athletic Performance."

In this year's East Coast Bowl, the North team took a quick 14-0 lead, but the South team came back strong to win 27-14. The second half highlights included a number of big defensive plays, with long runbacks and big hits.

During halftime, National Football Foundation representative Ron Dilatusch, East Coast Bowl President Larry Toombs, and NFF Commonwealth Chapter President Joseph Miller presented a College Football Hall of Fame certificate to legendary high school official Russell Lee Bland. Bland has been officiating high school games for nearly 50 years, working football, basketball, and baseball games involving future college and pro stars such as Moses Malone, Mark West, Bobby Dandridge, Bob Lanier, Ricky Hunley, Ron Bolton, Johnny Samples, and Johnny Oates. Bland also worked the famous Virginia State High School Football Championship game between T. C. Williams and William Fleming High Schools, which inspired the movie, Remember the Titans.