News Archive: Alumni
The legendary Steve Meilinger (FUMA '50) returned to the Fork Union campus once again, this time bringing his wife Eileen, and friends Abe and Marian Rabnier. Meilinger was a football star at FUMA and then at Kentucky where he played for Coach Bear Bryant. Meilinger was FUMA's first ever NFL First Round Draft Pick, playing for the Washington Redskins and then for the Green Bay Packers where he was a tight end for famed Packer QB Bart Starr.
 Continue reading "Meilinger: Return of the Big Man on Campus"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Thursday, March 13, 2008 12:41 PM
Alumni
"My dream since I was a little kid was to play Division I basketball," says Chris Harris. "I wasn't going to give up on that dream too easily.
Standing only 5'-5" as a high school sophomore, by the time he hit a growth spurt as a senior most college recruiters had already passed him by. He was considered a Division III basketball prospect but he was not ready to give up his Division I dreams. He enrolled in Fork Union Military Academy for a postgraduate year, added another two inches in height, and converted to point guard. Now he's living his dream.
Continue reading "Success Story: Chris Harris"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, February 18, 2008 09:13 AM
Alumni
From top to bottom, it has been a championship year for Fork Union Military Academy. Former FUMA cadets could be found on numerous championship teams during this football season.
National Football League
Two former FUMA cadets won rings at the Super Bowl on February 3, 2008 as members of the world champion New York Giants. Plaxico Burress made the game-winning touchdown catch in the final moments of the game to complete the Giants' upset win over the New England Patriots. Rookie receiver Brandon London spent the week as he has all season as a member of the Giants practice squad, helping the team get ready for the game. During Super Bowl week, London played the role of Randy Moss, giving Giants defenders the preparation they needed to shut down the explosive receiver during the Super Bowl game.
NCAA Division I & I-AA
Freshman wide receiver Ian Harding (6-1 / 196 ) was a member of the Division I National Championship winning team, the Louisiana State University Tigers. The Tigers defeated the Ohio State University Buckeyes in the national championship game to become the first team to win multiple national titles since the advent of the BCS National Championship.
Offensive lineman Xan Thomas (6-2 / 270) was a freshman on the Appalachian State University Mountaineers team that won the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. The Mountaineers season began in a memorable fashion with an upset victory over Michigan, marking the first time a Division I-AA team had defeated a nationally-ranked Division I-A school.
NCAA Division II
A senior at Valdosta State University, Bo May (6-2 / 270) earned his D-II ring playing defensive tackle on the team that beat Northwest Missouri State to claim the NCAA Division II National Championship.
Continue reading "A Championship Year for Fork Union Military Academy Alums"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Tuesday, February 5, 2008 01:16 PM
Alumni
Rookie receiver Brandon London, FUMA's other Giant this year, was a member of the Giants' practice squad, helping prepare the Giant defenders by playing the role of Randy Moss during practices.
New York Post: "He's Mini-Moss"
Boston Globe: "London's Gimmick is to Mimic"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, February 4, 2008 09:10 AM
Alumni
FUMA Alumnus Plaxico Burress, one of two former FUMA cadets on the roster of the New York Giants, caught the winning touchdown with 35 seconds to go in the SuperBowl to upset the New England Patriots 17 - 14.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, February 4, 2008 08:50 AM
Alumni
With the New York Giants and the New England Patriots set to compete in the NFL's SuperBowl, FUMA can add the names of two more alumni to our list of SuperBowl players.
Plaxico Burress, starting wide receiver for the Giants, and Brandon London, a receiver currently on the Giants practice squad, both prepped at Fork Union Military Academy.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, January 21, 2008 11:37 AM
Alumni
Appalachian State University beat their previously unbeaten Southern Convference rival UT Chattanooga 92-83 in a game that saw outstanding contributions from three former FUMA cadets.
Donald Sims led the scoring with a season high 28 points, and added 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Donte Minter posted 18 points with his 8 of 11 shooting to place second on Appy's scoring totals. Jeremi Booth came off the bench to add his 2 points to the total.
With these three FUMA alums on App State's 15-man roster, and all three of them seeing playing time and scoring points, Appalachian State University will be a fun school for FUMA fans to follow this season.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Friday, January 18, 2008 12:08 PM
Alumni
Just one week after receiving his promotion to Staff Sergeant, Jonathan Dozier, 30, of Chesapeake, VA was killed in combat during operations in Sinsil in central Iraq on Wednesday January 9, 2008. Dozier attended Fork Union Military Academy briefly as a sophomore between February and May of 1994.
Continue reading "Former Cadet Killed in Iraq"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Alumni
SSGT Jonathan Grundy, FUMA Class of 1994, was injured while serving in Iraq on December 11, 2008. A member of the 82nd Airborne Division serving his third tour in Iraq, SSGT Grundy was leading his men on combat patrol in the Diyala River Valley when he was struck in the face by a round from an enemy AK47 rifle.
Continue reading "FUMA Alumnus Injured in Iraq"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:31 AM
Alumni
The blazing fast Jacoby Ford (FUMA '06) continues to impress observers with his speed, but hopes to silence those who question whether his straight line speed will transfer into the football quickness to be successful as Clemson's starting wide receiver.
Read more in this Independent Mail article.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Saturday, August 25, 2007 10:35 AM
Alumni
 Ryan Shuman ('04), son of PG football coach John Shuman, is slated to start at center for the vaunted Virginia Tech football team. He looks strong in practice, and appears completely recovered from his ACL tweak that caused him to miss some of the last season action.
Our Tech insider provided these photos of Ryan in action at a recent practice. Click on a photo to enlarge.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Friday, August 3, 2007 10:04 AM
Alumni
Thierry Dupuis '75 was sworn in this past week as Chief of Police in Chesterfield County, Virginia where he now heads a 510-officer department.
In an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Dupuis credits his early experience as a cadet on FUMA's Honor Court as an early building block in his successful law enforcement career.
Read the full Richmond Times-Dispatch article.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, July 16, 2007 09:28 AM
Alumni
Congratulations to another FUMA alumus whose success story began here...
Sydney Johnson, who played here for Coach Arritt in 92-93, has been named the new head basketball coach at Princeton.
Johnson was a four-year starter and three-year captain of the Princeton basketball team following his postgraduate year at FUMA -- the only 3-time captain in Princeton history. He was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 1997 when the Princeton Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League competition.
He played professional basketball in Europe before returning to the states to accept an assistant coaching position at Georgetown where he has coached the past three years. Johnson helped coach Georgetown to a Final Four this season.
Read more here:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1091&dept_id=425696&newsid=18240473&PAG=461&rfi=9
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Sunday, April 22, 2007 08:26 PM
Alumni
The team pushed hard at Tuesday's game against Woodberry Forest, however they could not score, and lost 9 to 0 against this very strong team. The next match is scheduled for this Friday (March 30th) at Fork Union. The team will play St. Anne's Belfield at 3:30 p.m.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles
, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 10:49 AM
Alumni
Jacoby Ford ('06), now a wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers, ran a 6.53 in the 60-meter dash during qualifying for the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships being held at Clemson, setting a new ACC record.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Ford then ran a 6.52 the following day, breaking his own record. Ford's time is the fastest in the world this year.
Ford came to FUMA as a PG and was not heavily recruited as a high school football player. While at FUMA, he showed exceptional speed and skill at wide receiver and kick returner and set the benchmark for the 40-yard dash during his combine here with a time of 4.12.
Many schools recruited Ford during his time at FUMA and Ford joined the Clemson Tigers in the spring of 2006.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Monday, February 26, 2007 08:23 AM
Alumni
Class of 1956 member, Ramon Pardue, resigns from St. Joseph's Villa in Richmond, VA after 29 years of service. In a recent article in the Times-Dispatch, Pardue is cited as touching the lives of homeless families and children. He was noted as being an excellent leader and one that was very much involved with the children. His wife is quoted: "For Ray, you have to remember that what he does is a ministry for him."
Pardue attributes much of his discipline and personal achievement to Fork Union Military Academy. To read the full article go to June 30th issue of Times-Dispatch.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles
, Monday, July 3, 2006 03:01 PM
Alumni
Now a wide receiver with the NFL's Philadephia Eagles, Billy McMullen stopped by the campus in January for a visit, even checking out his former room in the Middle School Barracks where he served as an Upper School Advisor.
Continue reading "FUMA Cribs"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Wednesday, January 18, 2006 11:58 AM
Alumni
One of our own alumni, actor Bryce Wagoner, will be appearing in the Discovery Channel's movie "The Flight That Fought Back" tonight at 9pm. The movie chronicles the events of September 11, 2001 as passengers on Flight 93 fought back against the hijackers who had taken over their airplane.
Continue reading "FUMA Alum Bryce Wagoner in 9/11 movie"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Sunday, September 11, 2005 09:38 AM
Alumni
As the new incoming President of the Alumni Association Board, let me first say it is truly an honor to be in this position. I look forward to serving the Board and the FUMA alumni over the next two years and continue the great traditions that Fork Union Military Academy has built over the last 107 years.
One of my most important duties as President is to encourage all alumni to support the school with their words, their time, and their gifts.
Continue reading "Message from Alumni Board President"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:04 PM
Alumni
FUMA alumnus Jeff Schrad received front page treatment in the Charlottesville Daily Progress Sports section today with a large photo and prominent article detailing how his experience at Fork Union helped him succeed at University of Virginia.
An offensive lineman who walked on to the UVa team, Jeff's hard work did not go unnoticed and Coach Al Groh rewarded his efforts recently by awarding him a football scholarship.
Reporter Sean McLernon's full article from the Daily Progress can be found at this link.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Wednesday, August 24, 2005 12:45 PM
Alumni
FUMA alumnus Ernest Wilford, in his second year with the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team, took time out to speak to some young people at Community Connections Summer Camp in Jacksonville, FL this past week, inspiring them with his own success story.
Read the full article here.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Wednesday, June 22, 2005 02:19 PM
Alumni
On April 30-May 1, close to 250 alumni and friends returned to the Fork Union campus to renew old friendships and capture past memories of their time at the Academy. Representatives from classes as far back as the 1940s were here to participate in many of the activities on campus.
Continue reading "Successful Alumni Weekend 2005"
Posted by Elizabeth Liles
, Friday, May 13, 2005 10:31 AM
Alumni
Make plans now for Alumni Weekend 2005! April 30-May 1. See full Schedule of Events. (Times tentative and all events subject to change) Hope to see you there!
Continue reading "Alumni Weekend 2005"
Posted by Elizabeth Liles
, Tuesday, March 22, 2005 01:38 PM
Alumni
Richard Linwood Bates, Sr. of FUMA's Class of 1948 passed away last night, March 21, 2005.
 Lin Bates attended FUMA for four years. After graduating in 1948 he went to work for Dupont before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. After serving in the Korean War he returned to Virginia to join in his family's farming business. In January 1960 he started Bates Brothers Trucking and served as president until retiring in 1992.
Continue reading "Distinguished Alumnus, Lin Bates '48, Passed Away"
Posted by Elizabeth Liles
, Tuesday, March 22, 2005 08:58 AM
Alumni
Kareen Taylor current University of North Carolina football player looks forward to playing against his old FUMA teammates at Virgina Tech. Read more about Kareen in this article.
Posted by MAJ John DeVault
, Saturday, November 6, 2004 10:40 AM
Alumni
Zac Yarbrough, former FUMA and current UVA student, gets ready for Florida State. Read more about Zac in this article.
Posted by MAJ John DeVault
, Saturday, October 16, 2004 12:46 PM
Alumni
Dorien Bryant, a freshman at Purdue has nine receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown as the number three or four receiver in an offense that uses a lot of four receiver sets.
Read more about it in this profile of Dorien Bryant published in the Courier Post.
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Saturday, October 9, 2004 11:24 AM
Alumni
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION
OF THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
08:33 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 5, 2004
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING - Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy sits on 650 acres of rolling hills and lush foliage in the middle of the state, the middle of nowhere in central Virginia, halfway between Charlottesville to the west and Richmond, the state capital, to the east.
Founded in 1898, Fork Union is a college preparatory boarding school for boys in grades 6 through 12 as well as postgraduate students.
It's also an institution known for producing football players. Lots of them.
Last year, Fork Union had 25 players on NFL rosters.
Three alumni play for the Cowboys.
Vinny Testaverde, Dexter Coakley and Eddie George all attended Fork Union. Each said it played a pivotal role in shaping their lives.
And they're not just talking about football.
When Testaverde, Coakley and George attended Fork Union, each found himself at a crossroads.
Fork Union helped direct them toward the right path. Here are their stories:
Continue reading "Military academy prepped Cowboys trio for NFL, and more"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Tuesday, October 5, 2004 11:00 PM
Alumni
Art Brown, current East Carolina running back, returns to the field after having a year off from a knee injury. Brown had a 1,029 yard 2002 season and is looking to get back on track. Read more about Art in this article
Posted by MAJ John DeVault
, Wednesday, September 15, 2004 12:09 PM
Alumni
FUMA Alumnus Brian Kozlowski has moved to the NFL's Washington Redskins and is doing well in the competition for starting H-back.
Continue reading "FUMA Alum Brian Kozlowski starts for the NFL Washington Redskins"
Posted by CPT Dan Thompson
, Thursday, August 26, 2004 02:16 PM
Alumni
"Prep school was the best thing that ever happened to me," Dorien Bryant ('04 PG) tells Michael Pointer of the Indianapolis Star. The year at FUMA gave Bryant time to re-think his college choices, and Purdue is very happy with the outcome.
Continue reading "Purdue happy to get second chance with Dorien Bryant ('04 PG)"
Posted by Administrator
, Thursday, August 26, 2004 12:12 PM
Alumni
Spencer Tatum ('02 PG), a linebacker with Ohio University, has been selected to serve on the prestigious NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for a two-year term.
Continue reading "Spencer Tatum ('02 PG) selected to NCAA Committee"
Posted by Administrator
, Thursday, August 26, 2004 11:33 AM
Alumni
James Terry ('03) joins Youngstown State University as a redshirt freshman, transferring from University of Virginia.
Continue reading "James Terry ('03) makes impression at Youngstown State"
Posted by Administrator
, Monday, August 16, 2004 05:40 PM
Alumni
, Athletics
Marques Hagans ('00) is getting his shot at starting quarterback for the University of Virginia Cavaliers this season. Used primarily as a punt returner last season, Hagans is the top contender to replace Matt Shaub, now in the NFL.
Continue reading "Marques Hagans ('00) is UVa's Little Big Man"
Posted by Administrator
, Thursday, August 12, 2004 09:25 AM
Alumni
, Athletics
Almondo Curry ('00), the rookie cornerback for the Canadian Football League team Montreal Alouettes, was named the CFL Defensive Player of the Month for July, 2004.
Continue reading "Almondo Curry ('00) honored by Canadian Football League"
Posted by Administrator
, Wednesday, August 11, 2004 12:31 PM
Alumni
, Athletics
Josh Hyman, a redshirt freshman on the Virginia Tech team this year was identified in a story running on FOX Sports as the "Unsung star on the rise" of the Tech team.
Continue reading "Josh Hyman ('03 PG) called "Unsung star on the rise""
Posted by Administrator
, Tuesday, August 10, 2004 09:04 AM
Alumni
, Athletics
Now that Eddie George has been signed to the Dallas Cowboys along with veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde, it raises an interesting coincidence. What do new teammates Eddie George and Vinny Testaverde have in common in their football careers?
Yes, both men won college football's coveted Heisman trophy and went on to be franchise players in the National Football League, but that's not the only thing their careers have in common. In fact, Eddie George, Vinny Testaverde and the Cowboys' outstanding linebacker Dexter Coakley all three have this very same thing in common.
Continue reading "The Cowboy Connection"
Posted by Administrator
, Sunday, August 1, 2004 04:20 PM
Alumni
, Athletics
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