McCants establishes DSU scholarship fund
Former Hornets WR puts millions earned in NFL to good use
Friday, June 06, 2008
Delaware Online
Former Hornets WR puts millions earned in NFL to good use
By MIKE FINNEY
The News Journal
DOVER -- When Darnerien McCants attended Delaware State University, he was not always enamored with what he perceived as the campus' shortcomings and was not exactly a rah-rah person, even though he played for the football team.
Now that McCants has been separated from campus life since 2001, he said he is able to see exactly what his years at Delaware State meant.
So, McCants, who went on to play wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and the Eagles, announced Thursday that he is establishing a $10,000 scholarship fund for students attending DSU.
"I've been blessed to play in the NFL, so I give back," McCants said. "I'm coming back to Delaware State to make a change. I made a couple of million dollars [playing in the NFL]. ... What am I going to do with that money? I wanted to give back.
"Now, I just would like to see every alumnus of black colleges take a chance and follow my lead."
McCants presented the endowment check to Delaware State president Allen L. Sessoms in the Board of Trustees fourth-floor conference room of the campus Administration Building.
Sessoms said McCants' generosity should serve as an example to graduates.
"Delaware State University is delighted that one of its own has decided to come back," Sessoms said. "Darnerien McCants has been a tremendous example of what a successful alumnus can do."
It is not the first time McCants has given back to his alma mater. For the Hornets' homecoming game in 2006, McCants designed and delivered new football jerseys to the team.
Delaware State football coach Al Lavan said much more goes on behind the scenes with McCants than in front of the camera.
That is why Lavan presented McCants with a 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship ring -- something he was unable to win as a player at DSU -- prior to his press conference Thursday.
"Darnerien McCants is an outstanding role model," Lavan said. "He has given so much to our program without being acknowledged publicly.
"He's a champion. He might not have been on our championship team [last season], but believe me, there is no doubt he's a champion."
The scholarships will go to full-time DSU students from any academic major. Freshman students must have at least a cumulative 2.0 grade-point average in high school, sophomores and juniors must achieve a 2.5 GPA and seniors must maintain
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