FEATURE: Averett football connects past with present using alumni Zoom chats

DANVILLE, Va. — Although the COVID-19 pandemic has altered normal operating procedures within college athletics, programs like Averett University football are embracing technology such as Zoom meetings to provide positive, interactive experiences for student-athletes while also connecting with alumni.

When Averett’s football coaching staff hosted an alumni Zoom in July, Averett Athletics Hall of Fame linebacker Kelvin Hutcheson ’06 proposed an idea to pair up alumni from each position group with current Cougars on the roster. As other alumni eagerly jumped on board, it was a no-brainer for head coach Patrick Henry and his staff. 

“It speaks volumes on the university’s importance of linking past players with the current talent on the field,” said former offensive lineman Scott Grimsey ’05, who along with Hutcheson spoke to the upperclassmen via Zoom recently once players moved back onto campus. “It also shows the importance of capturing lessons learned from the past so that the current players can advance on and off the field.”

Senior defensive lineman Maleek Pulliam appreciated the experience of talking with alumni and how they can relate to traditions and the student-athlete experience, even though they may be a generation apart. 

“The things we have learned in college, they are using in their everyday lives to be successful in their own communities,” Pulliam said. “Hearing from someone that was once an Averett football player is really beneficial because they’ve been in the same position we are in now. So whenever we have important questions related to our fields or our positions, they are always willing to help however they can.”

Earlier this week, the Averett football program hosted its first positional Zoom meetings with alumni featuring nine former Cougars. It gave the current players a chance to learn from those who excelled at their positions while at Averett and how they balanced athletics with academics and life. 

Sophomore quarterback Lake Hojnacki enjoyed listening to Averett Athletics Hall of Fame quarterback Scott Swann ’06, who talked about life on campus and how he found success on and off the field.

“He talked about three things to always keep in your mind,” Hojnacki said. “They were have fun, stay focused and stay disciplined. I think these are always important key factors in how you approach everyday life.”

During his Zoom chat, former defensive back Salem Morris ’05 stressed that you have to get — at a minimum — one percent better each day.

“That goes for life, school and football,” Morris said. “And I also wanted to focus on getting to class and making the grades. Without the grades, you can’t play and you are setting yourself up for failure in school, football and life.”

Morris’ words immediately resonated with sophomore defensive back Isaiah Sharper.

“Doing everything to the best of your ability was the biggest takeaway from the alums on Zoom,” Sharper said. “This translates on and off the field. As a defensive back, there are many missed opportunities out on the field from false alignments to dropped interceptions. If you aren't performing at your best, you won't make big plays hands down. You must perform at your best in the classroom, too.”

Sharper also recalled Morris’ message about how there is more to life than just football. 

“He asked what were we going to do once football was over. I ask myself this question every day,” Sharper said. “I want to be prepared as a man to face life after football is done and the speech the alums gave will be significant in my future success.”

Former offensive lineman Les Garnett ’05 enjoyed using Zoom as a tool to connect past and present. He shared memories from his freshman season in 2001 when the team faced adversities in addition to processing the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 that same fall. Nearly two decades later, the current student-athletes are facing the adversity of a pandemic and a postponed season.

“I spoke to the offensive line about being protectors, talking to each other and helping each other through these different times,” Garnett said. “I talked to the players about staying together and staying on the same agenda and getting through these times together.”

A sense of brotherhood was a big takeaway for several current players. The relationships one can build within the team and the campus community can last a lifetime. 

“That chemistry can help win games and build relationships with friends who can stay with you your entire life,” said junior tight end Wesley Parker, who noted that alumni talked about former teammates remaining close after their playing days and even being in each other’s weddings. “That really stuck with me and made me think about how important these friendships really are.”

Senior linebacker Conner Showalter said the knowledge shared by alumni during the Zoom gatherings went far deeper than football and how impactful it can be to network with Averett players from different eras.

“Although the program is still relatively young, they reminded us that this is a brotherhood and that no matter what they are only a text and a phone call away,” Showalter said. “They stressed to us that many of the lessons we are learning by going through college football will also apply to life and by continuously having a positive attitude, strong work ethic and will to win will not only set you up for success on the field, but for life after football as well.” 

Senior offensive lineman Aaron Pace was thankful for the opportunity to grow as an individual on and off the field, which is a mission for Averett’s Department of Athletics.

“Football has definitely helped me grow into the man I am today and it had definitely help me prepare for life,” Pace said. “I’ll never take a day for granted and I am thankful for all of the alumni and coaches and teachers who have helped me throughout journey here.”

As for the alumni, they got just as much out of the experience to connect with current players.

“It gave me an opportunity to dig deep and learn what I really knew and try to pass on some kind of knowledge that was given to me,” said Morris, who thought the alumni Zooms were a “wonderful and useful idea and tactic.”

Hutcheson said the opportunity to speak to this year’s team was a humbling experience because he has a passion for mentoring.

“I felt a need to give back and sow words of wisdom to the team facing these different times,” he said.

As Henry and his coaching staff prepare their current student-athletes for whatever the future holds, he believes the alumni Zoom calls are a good first step to build a foundation.  

“I hope that the team gets perspective from it,” Henry said. “To know where you are going, you have to know where you came from. To hear about a start-up football program from the humble beginnings to where we are at now, giving perspective on what they have and where we came from is great. And it is coming from some pretty great football players.”