ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
STARS OF FOOTBALL FIELD and classroom, Roanoke Countians Brandon Semones and Tiki and Ronde Barber won praise from home Thursday.
The Roanoke County School Board honored three of Virginia's top college football players with hometown pride Thursday night.
Virginia Tech's Brandon Semones and the University of Virginia's Tiki and Ronde Barber were praised for their academic and athletic achievements while in high school and college.
The board gave Semones and the Barber twins certificates of recognition and held a reception for them.
"You're the epitome of student-athletes," board member Thomas Leggette told them. "We're so proud to have had you as part of our school system."
Semones, a linebacker at Tech, graduated from Glenvar High. The Barbers are Cave Spring graduates. Tiki, a tailback who broke the UVa all-time rushing record, was the player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Ronde, a defensive back, was named to the All-ACC team.
Semones and Ronde Barber were named first-team All-State on defense and Tiki Barber was named the Division I offensive player of the year by The Roanoke Times this season.
All three players were stars when they were in high school and won multiple honors.
For their athletic and academic accomplishments this year, Semones and Tiki Barber were named to the College Football Association's Scholar/Athlete team - 24 top players who are also outstanding in the classroom.
"Out of 24 players in the nation, two of them are from Roanoke County," said Marty Robison, assistant superintendent.
"You bring a great deal of pride and joy to us," Robison told the players and their families.
The players credited their county teachers, coaches and principals with helping them achieve success.
Semones, who is student teaching at Cave Spring High, said his years in the classroom and athletic fields in the county helped prepare him for academics and football at Tech.
"It's always something special to come back to Roanoke County," Tiki Barber said. "If it weren't for all of the people along - my teachers, coaches and others - I wouldn't have been able to do what I have."
Ronde Barber said he, too, feels special to have grown up in the county and attended its schools.
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