ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 19, 1996 TAG: 9612190064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
Thomas Haskins and one of his cousins were sitting in a Bennigan's restaurant in Richmond last winter when his cousin decided to do a little math. He pulled out a napkin, performed some addition, subtraction and long division and figured out the odds of being an All-American were pretty slim.
He was trying to prove to Haskins, an Associated Press first-team selection in 1995, just how difficult it is to be an All-American. It makes one wonder what they'll talk about this time.
Wednesday, Haskins again was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, becoming the first VMI player twice named to the AP Division I-AA All-America team. His place on the team may have been cinched Nov.23, when he became Division I-AA's all-time leading rusher.
``It's definitely sweeter to be able to obtain this award and be the overall leading rusher,'' Haskins said. ``This can cover up some of the wounds from the Dudley Award. It's the final chapter in my VMI experience.''
Haskins was a finalist for the Dudley Award, given annually to the top college football player in Virginia. UVa's Tiki Barber was this year's recipient.
There wasn't much Haskins hadn't accomplished before this, his senior season. The Richmond resident broke VMI's 14-year-old record for career rushing set by Floyd Allen when he reached 3,651 yards during the 1995 season on his 612th carry. This season, against Appalachian State, Haskins broke the I-AA career rushing record when he reached 5,349 yards. That game also marked the third time Haskins had rushed for at least 200 yards against the Mountaineers, a Southern Conference power known for its defense.
An international studies major, Haskins was the Southern Conference's top rusher for the third time, the first player to do that since Furman's Stanford Jennings (1981-83). He also was named Wednesday to the American Football Coaches' Association (formerly Kodak) All-America team.
Haskins' old roommate from Fork Union Military Academy, Appalachian State linebacker Dexter Coakley, also was a repeat All-America selection. There were two other Southern Conference players on the first team, both from Marshall - freshman wide receiver Randy Moss and senior defensive tackle Billy Lyon. Seven Thundering Herd players made the AP's three All-America teams.
William and Mary, a I-AA playoffs quarterfinalist, placed two players on the first team - senior guard Josh Beyer and senior defensive back Darren Sharper. The other Virginian on the first team was Darrell Flythe, a senior linebacker for Hampton.
Haskins said before the start of the season he honestly didn't think he would gain 600 yards. The makeup of the VMI offensive line was changing every week, and Haskins couldn't find any room to run. His family started to worry. Haskins told them to be patient, and proceeded to gain more than 200 yards in each of his last three games and become the first VMI player to rush for more than 1,500 yards in three seasons.
``I hope I can just continue being a good person and carry on what All-American exemplifies,'' Haskins said. ``All-American in all aspects of life.''
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS. 1. Staff Running back Thomasby CNBHaskins (10) is VMI's first two-time NCAA Division I-AA All-America
selection in football. 2. (headshot) Haskins. color. KEYWORDS: FOOTBALL