Annual HBCU Combine & Showcase Prepares Players for Possible Pro Football Career

Greensboro, NC, December 08, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Standout players from the country’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are invited to show their skills at the third Annual HBCU & Small College Pro Showcase to be held on December 15, 2012, at Proehlific Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. All 32 NFL teams have been invited to attend, as well as scouts from the CFL, and AFL.

New events have been added to this year’s Combine & Showcase to further highlight skills and help prepare players from the 105 HBCUs and 100 selected Division II and Division III colleges and universities for careers in professional football. Invited athletes will undergo two days of drills and tests that include a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, pull-ups, one-on-ones, and agility drills. A 7-on-7 controlled scrimmage will further highlight each player’s unique skills; former NFL players will coach the two teams.

“Our goal is to give HBCU players a special venue to showcase their talent for NFL coaches and scouts,” said Charles Sutherland, Director of Marketing for the HBCU Combine & Showcase. Sutherland has big plans for the future of this event, too. (Prior to joining the Showcase team, Sutherland helped launch Rocawear clothing apparel). “I know we can help these young men turn their dreams into a possible career,” adds Sutherland.

Many beloved National Football League greats -- Walter Payton, Jerry Rice, Michael Strahan, Aeneas William, and Shannon Sharpe -- have come from HBCUs. “Football fans have been amazed by the level of talent coming from HBCUs and appreciate the contributions these athletes have made to the game,” said Alan Hooker, Director of Operations for the HBCU Combine & Showcase. “This event helps create greater awareness of these standout players. In fact, our annual HBCU is garnering the attention of not only NFL front offices, but CFL and AFL representatives too. Additionally, plans are in place to film and air this year’s Showcase.”

Founded in 2010 by Gene Washington, former Director of NFL Football Operations, and entrepreneur Mark Bloomquist, the annual HBCU and Small College Showcase seeks to bring increased recognition to HBCU football programs and to amplify the number of HBCU and small college players on NFL, CFL, and AFL rosters. For more information on this event, please contact Phil Parrish, Events Coordinator, at 336-420-8060.