THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601130435
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
James Roe went to Hollywood this week for what he thought would be a supporting role.
Instead, he ended up the star.
Roe, Norfolk State's All-American wide receiver, was named the Eddie Robinson Trophy winner, representative of the best player at an historically black college or university.
He beat out five others in accepting the award late Thursday night in a ceremony at The Palace in Hollywood, Calif.
``To be perfectly honest, I thought Richard Huntley was going to get it,'' said Roe, referring to Winston-Salem State's record-setting running back. ``I was shocked and at a loss for words.''
Worse yet, the award was given out at 10 p.m. West Coast time. Once Roe got back to his hotel, it was 3 a.m. on the East Coast and he couldn't bring himself to wake up friends and relatives with a phone call, even though he was busting at the seams with excitement.
``I didn't get a lot of sleep,'' Roe said. ``In fact, I didn't get any.''
As a senior, Roe set the NCAA Division II record for consecutive games with a touchdown reception (15) after carrying the streak over from his junior season. He also finished as Division II's all-time leader in receiving yards (4,468) and career games with a touchdown reception (26).
Roe caught at least one pass in each of his 41 games at Norfolk State.
``I had my eyes closed when they announced the award, but I had to peek,'' Norfolk State coach Darnell Moore said. ``Eddie Robinson hesitated for a second because he had the paper upside down. I think it made everybody's heart pump a little faster. Then I was dumbfounded when he announced James was the winner.''
Roe beat out Huntley, Hampton University defensive end Hugh Hunter, Florida A&M linebacker Earl Holmes, North Carolina A&T offensive tackle Jermaine Stephens and Jackson State defensive back Picasso Nelson. Each received an Eddie Robinson award as the top player at their position.
The award ceremonies will be telecast on ``Black College Sports Today'' on ESPN next Thursday at 3 p.m.
Roe said he will put the Eddie Robinson bust, representative of the award, on display at Norfolk State.
He is the second recipient of the award, which Alcorn State quarterback Steve ``Air'' McNair won last year. McNair is now with the NFL's Houston Oilers.
For the Spartans' recruiting efforts, the award couldn't have come at a better time. Norfolk State will have 18 prospective football recruits - their largest number of this recruiting season - making on-campus visits this weekend as the NCAA's national signing day in February approaches.
``For our football program and even more for our school, this is something we can really hang our hats on forever,'' Moore said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
James Roe didn't expect to win the award for the best player at an
historically black college. It's a boost to NSU recruiting.
by CNB