THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 27, 1995 TAG: 9501270865
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
All-Group AAA defensive back Rudy Howard of Norcom said Thursday he has agreed to attend Hampton University. He is expected to sign an athletic scholarship in early February, when the NCAA signing period is under way.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pound senior, a two-way starter on the 14-0 Norcom team that won the state title in 1993 and was 8-2 the past season, said he made the choice after visiting Hampton.
He also visited Norfolk State last week.
``I had a lot of schools interested in me - and some big ones like Purdue and Maryland,'' said Howard, a two-time All-Tidewater selection. But they said I hadn't qualified quick enough academically, and they were taking other players.
``But my main interests were Hampton and Norfolk State. There's a lot of former Norcom players at both schools, and I felt really comfortable going to either place. I just prayed that I was making the right choice, and that choice is Hampton.''
Howard, who has a 2.3 grade-point average and was on the honor roll the last nine weeks at Norcom, is taking the Scholastic Assessment Test Saturday at Churchland. He will take the American College Test at Hampton University next week.
``I feel confident I will pass,'' he said. ``I'm studying hard. If I have to sit out a year, I may go to prep school.''
Howard led the Greyhounds in rushing and scoring last season. Also, he had eight interceptions and was chosen as the Southeastern District defensive player of the year. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Rudy Howard
by CNB