The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Meet Assistant PG Basketball Coach Al Hamilton
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Wrestling, Swimming, Track & Field, Prep & Junior Prep Basketball, Diving
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Photos: PG Basketball's Christmas Tournament
- Touchdown Club of Richmond Honors John Shuman with Ray Tate Award
- Alumni Spotlights: Antwane Wells, Jr., & Millard Bradford
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Meet Assistant PG Basketball Coach Al Hamilton
Al Hamilton
Al Hamilton joined the Fork Union family this year and is currently working in the marketing department and assisting with PG basketball.
Get to know Coach Hamilton:
Years of Coaching Experience: I have about 12 years of coaching experience, but I feel like as though I have been coaching for a lot longer than that. I have always been a helper of young people and I have made it my life goal in wanting to see others succeed in life.
College Attended & Degree: I have three college degrees from where I won't say, however, I do have a certification in Business, a general education degree and a degree in marketing & management.
Did you play a sport in college, if so what sport? Although I was given ample opportunities to play in college, unfortunately for me, God had other things planned, and path led me in another direction: coaching!
Describe your current role at the Academy: My current role at FUMA is a bit of a mixture. I am an active team member with social media and marketing. But I am also an assistant coach with the PG basketball program. For me, it just feels like mentorship. I've been blessed with an opportunity to be the vessel that provides a service in and around campus.
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy? Coach Bob Williams offered me an opportunity to coach PG basketball.
What made you want to become a coach? Honestly, this was God's plan for my life. Coaching was never a part of my vision. I just knew how to talk to people, and I always knew what coaches wanted to hear. So, when my friends needed help and because I knew the game, coaching just grew on me and helped me to develop my people skills. And once I realized that there were more opportunities in front of me, I just became more intentional about my coaching career.
What is your favorite topic/drill to teach your athletes during practice? I'm an energy person! I love the game. I just love being a part of basketball... But DEFENSE!!! I'm a defensive guy for sure!
Do you have a coaching mentor? ABSOLUTELY!! Shout to Coach Benny White, one the most respected guys in all of Michigan when it comes to basketball, period. And Coach Terrance Porter, who gave me first official opportunity to coach and roam the sidelines. Then, there is Andy Bronkema. I've been able to learn so much from the three of them. I'm not who I am in coaching without either of those gentlemen. There are a few others as well, but not room for everyone to fit. A big thank youto everyone in my circle and a major salute to them!!!
What makes Fork Union a special place? No doubt about it, it's the history for sure! And then it's the people who are here and those who have come before us and gone ahead. Those are the people who created the legacies of the history that I'm speaking about!
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you? Around the time when I was graduating from high school, I looked into going to a military academy similar to this one.
Scores from the past two weeks:
Saturday, December 3
- Wrestling at Hargrave's Cody Day Dual Tournament • First
Monday, December 5
- Middle School Basketball at Richmond Christian School • L, 19-26
Tuesday, December 6
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. North Cross School • W, 44-31
- Swimming at Woodberry Forest School • L, 32-131
- Swimming vs. Collegiate School • L, 30-124
- Swimming vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • W, 87-37
- Swimming vs. Potomac School • L, 54-94
- Wrestling at Collegiate School • W, 57-12
- Wrestling vs. Cape Henry Collegiate • W, 42-24
- Prep Basketball vs. North Cross School • L, 32-48
Wednesday, December 7
- Track & Field vs. FUMA Mini #1 • No Team Scores
- PG Basketball vs. Bull City Prep • W, 99-82
Thursday, December 8
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. John Paul the Great High School • W, 55-55 OT
- Middle School Basketball at Saint Anne's Belfield • L, 14-66
- Prep Basketball vs. John Paul the Great High School • L, 52-78
Friday, December 9
- Swimming vs. Fishburne Military School • W, 109-18
- Swimming vs. Hargrave Military Academy • W, 89-58
- Swimming vs. Fluvanna County • W, 79-74
- Swimming vs. Monticello High School • W, 84-59
- Track & Field at Woodberry Forest School • No Team Score
- PG Basketball vs. Shooting 4 Greatness • W, 94-57
Saturday, December 10
- Wrestling at Fishburne Military School • L, 27-42
- Wrestling vs. Fluvanna County • W, 44-18
- Wrestling vs. Hargrave Military Academy • W, 52-12
- Wrestling vs. Staunton High School • W, 60-22
- Wrestling vs. Woodberry Forest School • W, 44-17
- PG Basketball vs. Hargrave Military Academy • L, 77-84
Tuesday, December 13
- Swimming at St. Alban's School • L, 50-213
- Swimming vs. Potomac School • L, 88-135
- Junior Prep Basketball at Fishburne Military School • W, 66-16
- Prep Basketball at Fishburne Military School • W, 82-66
- PG Basketball at Virginia Union University (JV) • L, 107-109 OT
Fork Union Places Third at the Fishburne Dual Tournament
Saturday, December 10, 2022
WAYNESBORO, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy wrestling program placed third overall at the Fishburne Dual Tournament this past weekend.
The Blue Devils defeated Fluvanna County (44-18), Woodberry Forest School (44-17), Staunton County (44-18) and Hargrave Military Academy (53-12), while falling to the host Fishburne Military School, 42-27.
"We competed against great competition this weekend and I couldn't be any prouder of how our guys fought back especially when we faced adversity against Fishburne," said head coach Alton Terry. "To wrestle five matches and take-home third place shows that we have a special group of guys, and I am optimistic about where we can go later in the season."
Leading the way for the Blue Devils was senior Tommy Manganiello, who went undefeated on the weekend. At 150, the … native recorded four pins and one win by forfeit.
In addition to Manganiello, senior Lucas Yates also went undefeated. At 157, Yates recorded three win by pins, one win by decision and one win by forfeit.
Four Blue Devils recorded three wins on the weekend, including William Searcy (175), Ronan Montez (132), Jack McCall (144) and Ethan Stroh (138).
The Blue Devils sit 11-1 in dual matches this season after competing in three meets prior to the Christmas Break.
The squad returns to action Saturday, January 7 when it travels to the Highland Springs Dual Tournament at Highland Springs High School at 9 a.m.
Fork Union Dominates at the Fork Union Invitational
Friday, December 9, 2022
FORK UNION, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy swimming program dominated at the Fork Union Invitational, sweeping the four-team competition, this past Friday at the Fork Union Aquatic Center.
The Blue Devils defeated Monticello High School (84-59), Hargrave Military Academy (89-58), Fluvanna County (79-74) and Fishburne Military School (109-18).
"Coming out of our invitational with a 4-0 record was an unexpected surprise," said head coach Jon Larson. "Each meet, I make sure we are challenging a couple of cadets into trying events that are out of their comfort zone. There are several events that many high school swimmers try to avoid, but we had a few step up and get us points where we needed them."
The Blue Devils recorded 11 top-three performances, including three first-place finishes. Junior Jaxon Brooks-Powell led the way winning the 200 and 400-meter freestyles as well as leading the 200 freestyle relay team to a gold-medal finish. The Palmyra, Va., native recorded a time of 2:12.88 in the 200 freestyle, touched the wall at the 4:47.61 mark of the 400 freestyle, and swam the third leg of the 200 freestyle relay to help his squad to a 1:56.47 time. He also helped the 400 freestyle relay team to a time of 5:14.37, which placed second.
In addition to Brooks-Powell, junior George Gurney had an impressive day. The Sandson, Va., native placed second in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:20.06, third in the 50 freestyle with a time of 28.26, was on the 200 freestyle relay, and helped the 400 freestyle relay team to a third-place finish. Junior John Cottey III also contributed to the Blue Devil sweep, recording two individual second-place finishes and helped two relay teams place in the top two. The Austin, Texas, native recorded a time of 27.65 in the 50 freestyle and a time of 1:03.90 in the 100 freestyle, while helping the 200 freestyle relay to a gold medal and the 200 medley relay to a silver medal.
Following the Fork Union Invitational, the Blue Devils traveled to St. Alban's School for a tri-meet in Washington, D.C. Fork Union fell to the host and Potomac School.
The squad will return to action Tuesday, January 10 when it travels to the Ben Hair Invitational in Charlottesville at 6 p.m.
Prep & Junior Prep Sweep Fisburne on the Road
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
WAYNESBORO, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Prep and Junior Prep Basketball teams swept Fishburne Military School on the road Tuesday afternoon.
Prep basketball defeated Fishburne, 82-66, while Junior Prep basketball defeated Fishburne, 66-16.
"This was a great team win," said head prep coach Reggie Barnette. "I challenged the guys at halftime to play our best half defensively and for the most part we were able to do so. We were much better at being in the right spot based on where the ball is. We did a better job at closing out on shooters and we also did a better job at finishing our possessions at the first rebound opportunity. I also believe that this was the first time in my two years of coaching that we had six players in double figures. I think that is a credit to our players who took it upon themselves to play make more for their teammates and allow the ball to find them then look for their scoring opportunities after that. It feels good to go into the break with a winning record and we are really looking forward to heading into league play with Trinity Episcopal in January."
Senior Ashton King led six Blue Devils in double-digits with 16 points. Sophomore Dreylan Creasy followed with 15 points, while senior Jordan Anderson add 14. Seniors Isaac Rivera and Charles Moore both recorded 12 points, followed by junior Tyler Manglicmot's 10 points.
The win lifts the Blue Devils to 3-2 overall.
The junior prep squad was led by sophomore Bryant Ray with 18 points for the Blue Devils' third straight win. Fork Union sits 3-0 heading into the Christmas Break.
Both squads return to action Tuesday, January 10 when they travel to Trinity Episcopal School. Junior Prep will begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by Prep at 6 p.m.
Fork Union Hosts Two Mini Invitationals Prior to Christmas Break
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy indoor track and field team hosted two mini invitationals in a two-week span, welcoming over eight teams to the Estes Athletic Center the past two Wednesdays.
"We have had a very productive pre-holiday season with a very new team," said head cocah Winston Brown. "Harry Momolu is among the best hurdlers in the state and Charles Campbell has really improved in a very brief time. Alvin Moore is going to be great though only a freshman. We will be ready to get to work in January.
Yesterday, the Blue Devils posted eight top-five finishes, including two podium appearances. Harry Momolu won the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.14. Amad Shah took second in the shot put, throwing 39 feet, six inches.
Charles Campbell collected two fourth-place showings and helped the 4x400 relay team to a fourth-place finish. The senior recorded a time of 7.02 in the 55-meter dash and a time of 40.51 in the 300-meter dash to score for the Blue Devils.
Last Wednesday, Fork Union posted 11 top-five finishes, including three gold medal performances. Jackson Edwards won the 500-meter with a time of 1:14.81, Alvin Moore won the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.85, Jonie-Galton Ansah won the shot put with a 41-feet, three-inch performace and the 4x400 relay team won with a time of 3:59.29.
In addition to the gold medalists, Campbell placed second in the 300-meter with a time of 40.56 and Jacob Seymore took fourth in the 55-meter with a time of 7.15. Dauda Niang placed second in the shot put, throwing 39-feet, 11 inches. Ayden Bland placed third in the long jump (18-09.00) and fourth in the triple jump (35-11.00).
The Blue Devils will enjoy a two-week Christmas Break prior to traveling to the East Coast Elite Meet at the Virginia Military Institute on Saturday, Jan. 7.
Junior Everett Mitchell Sets School Record at the December Invitational
FORK UNION, VA – Junior Everett Mitchell of the Fork Union Military Academy diving team set a school record at the December Diving Invitational Thursday night at the Fork Union Aquatics Center.
“Competing in 11-dive meets is a difficult task, especially this early in the winter season," said head diving coach Samson Miller. "Stringing together 11 successful dives over a three-hour period requires mental fortitude, and our divers demonstrated a lot of that last night. The cadets took things one dive at a time, remaining calm and focused throughout each round. They had fun and didn’t worry about anything that was out of their control, which is why I think they performed so well. I’m unbelievably proud of them and I can’t wait to see what the rest of our season has in store.”
Mitchell scored a 386.00 in the 11-dive competition that broke his teammate Grant Demorro’s school record of 328.10, which was set a year ago. Mitchell’s score placed him second overall on the night.
In addition to Michell’s school record, Demorro and Kellen Colevas also scored higher than the previous school record. Demorro took a score of 346.70 to place third overall, while Colevas took a score of 343.00 to place fourth.
George Gurney rounded out the top five for the Blue Devils, scoring a personal best of 266.00.
State Champion Tyler Read from Grove Christian School won the invitational by setting a Fork Union Aquatics Center record of 613.00.
Fork Union will return to action after the New Year when it hosts another invitational on Saturday, January 28.
Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.
If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!
Up Next in FUMA Athletics:
Thursday, January 5
- Middle School Basketball vs. Grymes Memorial School • 5:00 PM
Saturday, January 7
- Track & Field at East Coast Elite at VMI • 9:00 AM
- Wrestling at Highland Springs Dual Tournament • 9:00 AM
- PG Basketball vs. Oak Ridge Military Academy • 2:00 PM
Tuesday, January 10
- PG Basketball at TPLS • 12:00 PM
- Junior Prep Basketball at Trinity Episcopal School • 4:30 PM
- Swimming & Diving at Ben Hair Swimming Invite • 6:00 PM
- Prep Basketball at Trinity Episcopal School • 6:00 PM
- Middle School Basketball at Richmond Christian School • 7:00 PM
Wednesday, January 11
- Middle School Basketball vs. Benedictine College Prep • 4:00 PM
- Wrestling at Buffalo Gap Quad Meet • 5:00 PM
Thursday, January 12
- PG Basketball vs. Virginia Union University • 6:00 PM
Friday, January 13
- Track & Field at Virginia Showcase Indoor Track & Field • 12:30 AM
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. Collegiate School • 4:30 PM
- Prep Basketball vs. Collegiate School • 6:00 PM
Last weekend, PG basketball hosted its annual Christmas Tournament, welcoming Shooting 4 Greatness, Believe Prep and Hargrave Military Academy to campus.
All four games were exciting, including the Blue Devils' games in front of the Corps of Cadets, our honorary sixth man.
Fork Union fell to Hargrave Military Academy in the Championship Saturday afternoon.
Touchdown Club of Richmond Honors John Shuman with Ray Tate Award
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Long time Fork Union Military Academy football coach and current athletic director, John Shuman, is being honored by the Touchdown Club of Richmond as the 2022 recipient of the Ray Tate Memorial Award. The "Tater" is presented, annually, to a person who exemplifies the commitment and dedication to the sport of football as exemplified by the late Ray Tate.
Commitment and dedication would also be words to describe the successful career John Shuman has had at the Fork Union Military Academy. A career that began as a FUMA student-athlete in 1975 and then resumed when he returned in 1980, to join the football coaching staff under legendary head coach, Red Pulliam.
Shuman succeeded Pulliam in 1987 and spent the next 31 years as the head coach of the FUMA postgraduate program. When he retired from coaching following the first-ever undefeated season in 2018, he had compiled an overall coaching record of 190-110-1. Beyond the wins and losses, however, were the number of young men who were influenced by Coach Shuman not only in the game of football, but also in the game of life!
A native of Salem, New Jersey, Shuman played his college football in the Commonwealth at the Virginia Military Institute, 1976-79, for Keydet Hall of Fame Coach Bob Thalman. Shuman is also a member of the VMI Hall of Fame, as he earned First Team All-Southern Conference honors as well as the SoCon's Jacobs Blocking Trophy as an offensive tackle in 1979. And, the Keydets were SoCon football champions in 1977.
Coach Shuman and the Ray Tate Memorial Award was featured during the broadcast of the Dudley and Lanier Awards presentation last Saturday, December 10. Check out the presentation below:
The Touchdown Club of Richmond is a 501(c)(3), sports-social organization, based in Richmond, Virginia. The club promotes the best interests of the American game of football and sports in general, under the guidance of elected officers, with the predominate purpose being to recognize worthy athletes for their accomplishments.
The Ray Tate Memorial Award was established in 2013 to honor Tate who spent over 50 years associated with the sport of football, many of them at the collegiate level. A graduate of Patrick Henry High School, he played college football at the University of Richmond, serving as the team co-captain his senior year, 1965, and earned All-Southern Conference honors as an offensive guard. He then continued with the Spiders as a coach from 1966 to 1973 and then returned, as an analyst, on the radio broadcasts for 20 additional years, 1985 to 2004. Sadly, he passed away on October 19, 2011, at only 68 years of age.
Annually, at the end of every college football season, the Touchdown Club accepts nominations from its membership for a person to be considered for this prestigious award. From these nominations, the board of directors formulates a ballot for the club's membership to then vote, selecting the annual recipient of the "Tater", one of the club's highest annual awards.
Past Winners: 2021 – Jeff Hanson; 2019 – Joe Taylor; 2018 – Donny White; 2017 – Hank Norton; 2016 – Matt Kelchner; 2015 – Charlie Cloe; 2014 – Tommy Throckmorton; 2013 – Jim Cavanaugh
Alumnus Antwan Wells, Jr. Named All-SEC by the Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - University of South Carolina wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. was named to the All-SEC second-team unit, the Associated Press announced last week.
Wells, a 6-1, 207-pound junior from Richmond, Va., leads the Gamecocks with 63 receptions for 898 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks second in the SEC in receiving yards per game at 74.8 and is third in receptions per game at 5.25. He also has cracked the school’s all-time single-season list in both receptions and receiving yards, ranking 10th in both categories.
Wells is a 2019 graduate of Fork Union Military Academy.
The voting was conducted among a panel of 15 sports writers and broadcasters covering the league.
Make sure you cheer on 2018 alumnus Millard Bradford in the College Football Playoffs! Bradford is a safety on the TCU Bullfrogs. No. 3 TCU plays No. 2 Michigan on Saturday, December 31 at 4 p.m. in the Vrbo Bowl on ESPN.
Being a member of the Athletic Directors Club helps the department with buying new equipment and uniforms, post-game meals, partial scholarships and much more!
