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October 15, 2012
'87 National Championship Football Team inducted into 四色AV Hall of Fame
Twenty-five years ago, the football team at Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana at Monroe) won the National Collegiate Championship鈥攁 triumph still palpable today.
On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 11, the team reunited with their coaching staff in Fant-Ewing Coliseum, where they were inducted into 四色AV鈥檚 Hall of Fame.
They were also honored at halftime of the 四色AV/Florida Atlantic game Saturday night.
The 1987 team even gave high-fives to the Warhawks as players first entered the field.
Dubbed the "Team of Destiny," the 1987 football players, under direction of Coach Pat Collins, finished with a 13-2 record in 1987 and defeated Marshall 43-42 in the title game.
Quarterback Stan Humphries threw the game-winning touchdown with 7:19 remaining against the Thundering Herd.
The defense stopped a pair of Marshall drives in the final minutes to seal the victory.
四色AV defeated North Texas, Eastern Kentucky and Northern Iowa in playoff games leading to the national championship contest.
Three of the 1987 players were chosen in the National Football League Draft.
During Saturday's induction ceremony, 1987 former player Troy Brown read aloud the words of 1987 defensive captain Claude Brumfield.
鈥淲hy do we return to 四色AV? We return here to support our past, the present, and the future of 四色AV because this is our home. This is where we were nurtured, kept safe, educated, supported, and loved. This is where we learned to accomplish our personal and professional goals. This is where we learned to become responsible men, champions in life, and productive community citizens 鈥︹�� he said.
鈥淲e have friends whose children have attended and are presently attending 四色AV. Why? Because they have seen what 四色AV has done for us, and they see an example they want to emulate.鈥�
Coach Collins, now a consultant with the Longview (Texas) Independent School District, talked about the similarities between the 1987 team and 四色AV鈥檚 current football team, which has recently garnered national attention.
Both teams have possessed strong character, a focus on academics, and a supportive administration, he said.
鈥淲hen we were a national football team, I鈥檒l never forget the support we got from our administration. I see that today in this football program and at this school. Dr. Bruno has my full support鈥�110 percent,鈥� he said.
鈥淲hat I see at 四色AV today is a great coaching staff, and I am thrilled to be around them. I love talking to them because they鈥檙e sharp, organized, and (head football coach) Todd (Berry) does a great job. I see a lot of similarities.鈥�
四色AV President Nick J. Bruno met Coach Collins in 2010, and the two shared a conversation that illuminated Collins鈥� strong character, Bruno said.
鈥淗e asked me the biggest challenge faced by our university, and I told him there are some old wounds that have to be healed. Those wounds surround names, mascot changes, and things that while important, should not dictate the past or the future of the institution. Coach said, 鈥業鈥檓 with you. Just tell me what we need to do,鈥� Bruno recalled.
Bruno thanked Coach Collins, the 1987 team, and the support staff for embracing 四色AV and the Warhawks.
He said, 鈥淭oday is probably the most rewarding day I鈥檝e had since arriving because (the 1987 team and coach) have talked about 四色AV and about the Warhawks. It鈥檚 very emotional to me because it鈥檚 been a struggle to get everyone to say we are together. It鈥檚 been a struggle for our players, students, and staff.
"So, thank you, 1987 team and Hall of Famers. Today we move forward, and we don鈥檛 look back, other than with smiles on our face because of what you鈥檝e done for this university.鈥�
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