For Larry Elder ’19, Fork Union Military Academy has been part of his life for more than a decade. Now, after a journey that took him from cadet to collegiate standout and professional football player, Elder has returned to a familiar place: home.
Elder joined the Fork Union staff this week as an Admissions Counselor and Athletic Recruitment Coordinator, bringing his Fork Union story full circle.
“It’s great to have Larry back on campus in his role as an Admissions Counselor,” said Director of Enrollment Management Gary Leydig. “In just his first week, he has already made a meaningful impact on prospective families. His willingness to share his personal story and speak openly about his experience at Fork Union demonstrates firsthand how the Academy changes lives. Larry is a great example of how Fork Union turns boys into men of character.”
A Richmond, Virginia, native, Elder first arrived at Fork Union as a sixth grader through the Major Craig Moon Scholarship, an Access Scholarship that gave him the opportunity to begin what would become a transformational journey at the Academy. Over the years, Elder became a standout three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track and field while developing into one of Fork Union’s most respected cadet leaders.
On the football field, Elder was a three-time All-Virginia Prep League selection, served as a team captain during his junior and senior seasons, and earned the Coaches Award and team MVP honors as a senior.
After graduating with the Class of 2019, Elder chose to return to Fork Union for a postgraduate year and continued to make his mark both on and off the field.
In November 2019, the Academy recognized Elder’s exceptional leadership by promoting him from Cadet Major to Cadet Colonel. The rare promotion honored a cadet who had spent years growing within the Academy and had already served two years as a company commander before returning as a postgraduate.
Following his PG year, Elder signed to play football at Long Island University, where he made an immediate impact, earning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors during his freshman campaign. Over four seasons, he appeared in 32 games and recorded 175 total tackles, including 103 solo stops. As a junior, he earned All-NEC Third Team honors after leading the Sharks with 71 tackles. He was also named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll three times during his career.
Elder transferred to Valdosta State for his final collegiate season in 2024 and quickly became an important part of the Blazers’ defense. He appeared in 14 games, recording 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception while helping Valdosta State advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship game.
Following his collegiate career, Elder signed with the Jacksonville Sharks for the 2026 season before an injury ultimately led him to step away from playing professionally.
Now, Elder's next chapter has brought him back to the place where so much of his story began.
As an Admissions Counselor and Athletic Recruitment Coordinator, he will have the opportunity to share his own Fork Union experience with prospective cadets and families while helping student-athletes discover the opportunities available to them at the Academy.
For someone who first walked onto campus as a sixth grader, graduated, returned for a postgraduate year, and went on to achieve success at the collegiate and professional levels, Elder brings a perspective few others can offer.
Welcome home, Larry.
Larry’s journey is a powerful example of the lasting impact an Access Scholarship can have. What began with an opportunity to attend Fork Union ultimately became years of growth, leadership and achievement, and now, a career helping the next generation of cadets discover the Academy.
Hear Larry reflect on the Major Craig Moon Scholarship and what the opportunity to attend Fork Union meant to him in the video below of him in sixth grade.
Help Open the Door for the Next Larry Elder
Access Scholarships help make a Fork Union education possible for deserving young men who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend the Academy.
Learn more about our current Access Scholarships on this page.
Inspired by Larry’s story and want to help provide that same opportunity for another young man? A gift to Fork Union’s Access Scholarships can help make the next transformational story possible.
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