Jay Spivey in the WSJ: Special Moment...but will they show
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:45 am
Its certainly different to be keying a name other than Tommy Bowman to introduce a big headline in the WSJ, but welcome aboard, Jay, assuming you're the new writer on the AppState beat...
http://www.journalnow.com/sports/asu/on ... 4eefd.html
Only fitting that ASU coach, player enter Hall of Fame together\
Moore, Edwards have father-son relationship, might not attend ceremonies
Posted: Monday, June 8, 2015 9:52 pm
Jay Spivey/Winston-Salem Journal
@JaySpivey_WSJ on Twitter
When Appalachian State announced its latest sports Hall of Fame class, it seemed appropriate that Coach Jerry Moore and Armanti Edwards would be going in together.
Moore and Edwards are part of a class that includes former football players Daniel Wilcox (1999-2000), who played eight seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens, and Chip Hooks (1991-94), who led the Mountaineers in rushing for four years, and Leigh Cooper Wallace (1988-92), who was a six-time All-Southern Conference runner in cross country and track.
Each inductee will be honored before and during the season-opening game Sept. 5 against Howard at Kidd-Brewer Stadium in Boone.
But for Moore, who coached at Appalachian from 1989-2012, and Edwards, who was the quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, it will be special. Moore won the first of three straight NCAA Division 1-AA championships in 2005 with Richie Williams at quarterback and defeated Northern Iowa 21-16 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Then, with much angst among Mountaineers’ fans about who was going to replace Williams and whether or not they had a chance to repeat as national champions, a 5-11, 190-pound freshman from Greenwood, S.C., arrived on campus and changed everything for Appalachian. Edwards helped direct Appalachian to two more FCS titles (the NCAA changed it before the 2006 season). Appalachian defeated Massachusetts 28-17 in 2006 and defeated Delaware, and Joe Flacco, the future quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, 49-21.
Moore said that he and Edwards have almost a father-son relationship.
“He got a lot of recognition, a lot of notoriety, and I have,” Moore said by phone. “But it never would have happened without, I’m going to call them the obscure guy that nobody really keeps up with that two or three years later becomes a real important cog in the whole organization.”
Edwards, who was known as “Superman” at Appalachian for all he accomplished as a quarterback, said getting in the Appalachian Hall of Fame is an honor, especially going in the same year as Moore.
“That makes it even more special,” Edwards said by phone. “To go in with the guy that believed in you on and off the field since the day that I arrived on campus.”
Moore, even with all he’s accomplished as a coach at Appalachian (1989-2012), was surprised he was getting in the Hall of Fame.
“It was an honor, and it was a surprise,” Moore said. “I was under the impression, that with the past people, it’s usually five years after you’ve played or coached there. They called me about that, and I was a little taken back by it…You never expect that to happen to you.”
Edwards said as of Friday that he had not had a chance to reach out to Moore.
“He’s been more than a coach for me, not only since I was at App, but still to this day, I would kind of reference it kind of quote unquote another father figure, a mentor, a personal life, career outside of football, things like that.”
Edwards, 27, has been married to his wife, Desiree’, since 2013, and he has two children, seven-year-old daughter Langley and two-year-old son Armanti Jr. He lives in Charlotte and helps former Appalachian alumni Clarence Sutton, and Justin Woazeah, who graduated from Reynolds High School in 2004, who works at Carolina Therapeutic Services in Clover, S.C. with athletic activities for at-risk youth.
Moore recounted having dinner with his wife, Margaret, sitting with Armanti and Desiree’ recently.
“I was sitting there, and my chest was almost exploding,” Moore said. “We’re so proud of what he is and what he’s done.”
Moore finished his 24 years as the head coach at Appalachian with a record of 215-87 and 146-40 in the Southern Conference, including 10 conference titles. Edwards finished his four years 10,392 yards passing (a SoCon record) and 4,361 yards rushing, which is the most in the SoCon for a quarterback. Edwards set 64 school records and 14 in the SoCon. He also won the Walter Payton Award for the top player in FCS in 2008 and 2009.
But even though Moore won the AFCA Coach of the Year three straight years (2005-07), coached 69 first-team All-Americans, and became just the second person from Appalachian to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014 (Dexter Coakley was the other in 2011), maybe nothing defines Moore and Edwards more than what happened on Sept. 1, 2007.
Appalachian opened the season as the two-time FCS champions against Michigan in Ann Arbor. Michigan came in ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll. The Mountaineers took a 28-17 lead at halftime. Michigan took a 32-31 lead in the fourth quarter.
But Mountaineers’ place-kicker Julian Rauch kicked a 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left to give his team a 34-32 lead. The Mountaineers blocked what would’ve been a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation to preserve the win. It was the first time that an FCS team defeated a nationally ranked FBS opponent.
Edwards accounted for four touchdowns -- three passing and one rushing.
Following the win, Appalachian was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and many shows on ESPN and other networks across the country.
“It’s great feeling when you can make other people proud of what you’re doing,” Moore said of beating Michigan. “And the people that were actually there, there were thousands, maybe millions who watched it on TV.
“I’m telling you now, the 3,000 people (Appalachian fans) that were sitting in that stands – they hung around the locker room, they hung around the outside.”
Moore said there was a celebration.
“It was just a memorable moment,” he said.
Edwards’ reaction was a little more subdued.
“Honestly, for me, it was just another football game that we had to play,” Edwards said. “As far as the fans and what it did for our college, it had a huge impact on our college campus making us known world-wide. But personally, it was just the first game of the season.
“One more game to get past our goal, and that was playing for the conference (title) and moving on to the playoffs.”
The Mountaineers finished 13-2 that season and defeated UMass in the championship game.
“To do it three times in a row, for a school program, that’s one of the most impossible things to ever do,” Edwards said. “And I was a part of that. It’s a feeling that I really can’t explain.”
Edwards graduated from Appalachian and was later drafted as a receiver by the Carolina Panthers. He played four seasons for the Panthers. After playing four games in 2013, he was released, and the Cleveland Browns signed him. He played through the end of that season and signed with the Chicago Bears. The Bears released him in August of last year.
Will he be at the ceremonies?
“That’s the plan and that’s not the plan,” Edwards said of going to the Hall of Fame induction. “I’m still working out. I’m a free agent. I could get a phone call and get on a team, but if that doesn’t work out for me, then I’ll definitely be there.”
For Moore, 75, the last three years have been tough. He’s made no secret how upset he was with how he was dismissed following the 2012 season. He said it was miscommunication among members of the former administration, including former Athletic Director Charlie Cobb, who still lives in Boone.
“We’ve (Moore and his wife) have had a third of our life invested in that place,” Moore said. “We all like to use the term, ‘We’re family,’ but I tell you, our part of it was truly family.
“I’m talking about the things that went on behind the scenes when kids got issues, got problems…We didn’t have a lot of ‘em, but that’s part of our role, to help them get through those tough times.”
Moore has only been to parts of two games since Scott Satterfield took over as coach. Moore isn’t sure whether he’ll attend the game against Howard.
“I have no idea about that at this point,” he said. “Probably so, I don’t know.”
Edwards said going through the process of choosing Appalachian with Moore was special.
“It as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” Edwards said. “As a high school player trying to choose which college to go to, that’s a life-changing moment. It can be scary at times…I don’t regret anything. I was happy that I was given the right advice to choose that program.”
And on Sept. 5, Moore will continue the journey of doing things together.
http://www.journalnow.com/sports/asu/on ... 4eefd.html
Only fitting that ASU coach, player enter Hall of Fame together\
Moore, Edwards have father-son relationship, might not attend ceremonies
Posted: Monday, June 8, 2015 9:52 pm
Jay Spivey/Winston-Salem Journal
@JaySpivey_WSJ on Twitter
When Appalachian State announced its latest sports Hall of Fame class, it seemed appropriate that Coach Jerry Moore and Armanti Edwards would be going in together.
Moore and Edwards are part of a class that includes former football players Daniel Wilcox (1999-2000), who played eight seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens, and Chip Hooks (1991-94), who led the Mountaineers in rushing for four years, and Leigh Cooper Wallace (1988-92), who was a six-time All-Southern Conference runner in cross country and track.
Each inductee will be honored before and during the season-opening game Sept. 5 against Howard at Kidd-Brewer Stadium in Boone.
But for Moore, who coached at Appalachian from 1989-2012, and Edwards, who was the quarterback for the Mountaineers from 2006-09, it will be special. Moore won the first of three straight NCAA Division 1-AA championships in 2005 with Richie Williams at quarterback and defeated Northern Iowa 21-16 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Then, with much angst among Mountaineers’ fans about who was going to replace Williams and whether or not they had a chance to repeat as national champions, a 5-11, 190-pound freshman from Greenwood, S.C., arrived on campus and changed everything for Appalachian. Edwards helped direct Appalachian to two more FCS titles (the NCAA changed it before the 2006 season). Appalachian defeated Massachusetts 28-17 in 2006 and defeated Delaware, and Joe Flacco, the future quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens, 49-21.
Moore said that he and Edwards have almost a father-son relationship.
“He got a lot of recognition, a lot of notoriety, and I have,” Moore said by phone. “But it never would have happened without, I’m going to call them the obscure guy that nobody really keeps up with that two or three years later becomes a real important cog in the whole organization.”
Edwards, who was known as “Superman” at Appalachian for all he accomplished as a quarterback, said getting in the Appalachian Hall of Fame is an honor, especially going in the same year as Moore.
“That makes it even more special,” Edwards said by phone. “To go in with the guy that believed in you on and off the field since the day that I arrived on campus.”
Moore, even with all he’s accomplished as a coach at Appalachian (1989-2012), was surprised he was getting in the Hall of Fame.
“It was an honor, and it was a surprise,” Moore said. “I was under the impression, that with the past people, it’s usually five years after you’ve played or coached there. They called me about that, and I was a little taken back by it…You never expect that to happen to you.”
Edwards said as of Friday that he had not had a chance to reach out to Moore.
“He’s been more than a coach for me, not only since I was at App, but still to this day, I would kind of reference it kind of quote unquote another father figure, a mentor, a personal life, career outside of football, things like that.”
Edwards, 27, has been married to his wife, Desiree’, since 2013, and he has two children, seven-year-old daughter Langley and two-year-old son Armanti Jr. He lives in Charlotte and helps former Appalachian alumni Clarence Sutton, and Justin Woazeah, who graduated from Reynolds High School in 2004, who works at Carolina Therapeutic Services in Clover, S.C. with athletic activities for at-risk youth.
Moore recounted having dinner with his wife, Margaret, sitting with Armanti and Desiree’ recently.
“I was sitting there, and my chest was almost exploding,” Moore said. “We’re so proud of what he is and what he’s done.”
Moore finished his 24 years as the head coach at Appalachian with a record of 215-87 and 146-40 in the Southern Conference, including 10 conference titles. Edwards finished his four years 10,392 yards passing (a SoCon record) and 4,361 yards rushing, which is the most in the SoCon for a quarterback. Edwards set 64 school records and 14 in the SoCon. He also won the Walter Payton Award for the top player in FCS in 2008 and 2009.
But even though Moore won the AFCA Coach of the Year three straight years (2005-07), coached 69 first-team All-Americans, and became just the second person from Appalachian to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014 (Dexter Coakley was the other in 2011), maybe nothing defines Moore and Edwards more than what happened on Sept. 1, 2007.
Appalachian opened the season as the two-time FCS champions against Michigan in Ann Arbor. Michigan came in ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll. The Mountaineers took a 28-17 lead at halftime. Michigan took a 32-31 lead in the fourth quarter.
But Mountaineers’ place-kicker Julian Rauch kicked a 24-yard field goal with 26 seconds left to give his team a 34-32 lead. The Mountaineers blocked what would’ve been a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation to preserve the win. It was the first time that an FCS team defeated a nationally ranked FBS opponent.
Edwards accounted for four touchdowns -- three passing and one rushing.
Following the win, Appalachian was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and many shows on ESPN and other networks across the country.
“It’s great feeling when you can make other people proud of what you’re doing,” Moore said of beating Michigan. “And the people that were actually there, there were thousands, maybe millions who watched it on TV.
“I’m telling you now, the 3,000 people (Appalachian fans) that were sitting in that stands – they hung around the locker room, they hung around the outside.”
Moore said there was a celebration.
“It was just a memorable moment,” he said.
Edwards’ reaction was a little more subdued.
“Honestly, for me, it was just another football game that we had to play,” Edwards said. “As far as the fans and what it did for our college, it had a huge impact on our college campus making us known world-wide. But personally, it was just the first game of the season.
“One more game to get past our goal, and that was playing for the conference (title) and moving on to the playoffs.”
The Mountaineers finished 13-2 that season and defeated UMass in the championship game.
“To do it three times in a row, for a school program, that’s one of the most impossible things to ever do,” Edwards said. “And I was a part of that. It’s a feeling that I really can’t explain.”
Edwards graduated from Appalachian and was later drafted as a receiver by the Carolina Panthers. He played four seasons for the Panthers. After playing four games in 2013, he was released, and the Cleveland Browns signed him. He played through the end of that season and signed with the Chicago Bears. The Bears released him in August of last year.
Will he be at the ceremonies?
“That’s the plan and that’s not the plan,” Edwards said of going to the Hall of Fame induction. “I’m still working out. I’m a free agent. I could get a phone call and get on a team, but if that doesn’t work out for me, then I’ll definitely be there.”
For Moore, 75, the last three years have been tough. He’s made no secret how upset he was with how he was dismissed following the 2012 season. He said it was miscommunication among members of the former administration, including former Athletic Director Charlie Cobb, who still lives in Boone.
“We’ve (Moore and his wife) have had a third of our life invested in that place,” Moore said. “We all like to use the term, ‘We’re family,’ but I tell you, our part of it was truly family.
“I’m talking about the things that went on behind the scenes when kids got issues, got problems…We didn’t have a lot of ‘em, but that’s part of our role, to help them get through those tough times.”
Moore has only been to parts of two games since Scott Satterfield took over as coach. Moore isn’t sure whether he’ll attend the game against Howard.
“I have no idea about that at this point,” he said. “Probably so, I don’t know.”
Edwards said going through the process of choosing Appalachian with Moore was special.
“It as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” Edwards said. “As a high school player trying to choose which college to go to, that’s a life-changing moment. It can be scary at times…I don’t regret anything. I was happy that I was given the right advice to choose that program.”
And on Sept. 5, Moore will continue the journey of doing things together.
Great post!
