NFL Films to Focus Their Cameras on FUMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2006

Fork Union, VA – NFL Films, the winner of more television Emmy Awards than any other sports broadcaster, will soon be focusing their cameras on Fork Union Military Academy, the high school that has produced more NFL football players than any other prep school in the nation.

Fork Union Military Academy is to be the featured subject on an upcoming episode of the highly respected sports documentary show "NFL Films Presents." The documentary series airs on ESPN and the NFL Network and is hosted by Steve Sabol, who individually has won at least thirty of the more than ninety Emmy Awards presented for NFL Films programming.

"Fork Union has a list of alumni in the NFL that would be the pride of any school in the nation," says NFL Films producer Jay Jackson. "But Fork Union is not a football factory. It really is about the body, mind, and spirit there, and Fork Union is as much about academics and molding men of character as it is athletics. We hope to tell that story."

More than seventy alumni of Fork Union Military Academy have played for NFL teams, from the early days of the league until now. More than a dozen active NFL players on this season's rosters attended FUMA, including star wide receivers like Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants, Ernest Wilford of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Billy McMullen of the Minnesota Vikings, as well as other longtime veterans like offensive tackle Roman Oben of the San Diego Chargers and linebacker Dexter Coakley of the St. Louis Rams.

Jackson and his crew members from NFL Films are expected to arrive on campus beginning Wednesday, October 18th and work through the Academy's first full dress parade on Saturday, October 21st, filming scenes of cadet life and education and recording interviews with current students, staff, and notable NFL alumni including Eddie George and Don Majkowski.

On Friday, October 20th the NFL Films cinematographers will record the action at FUMA's much anticipated prep league game with rival Collegiate, kicking off at 3:30pm. All of FUMA's NFL alumni with whom the school has contact are being invited to return for this game and to participate in special halftime ceremonies. The football game is open to the public and all are invited to attend this event, although attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs as stadium seating is expected to fill quickly.

FUMA NFL alumni who are expected to return for this event include Tennessee Titans running back (and Heisman Trophy winner) Eddie George, the FUMA/UVa quarterback Don Majkowski (who was recently inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame), San Francisco Forty-Niners star Tyronne Drakeford, Ken Brown of the Denver Broncos, former Virginia Tech and NFL veteran quarterback Will Furrer (recently inducted into FUMA's Sports Hall of Fame), Jay Sherrill (who kicked for several NFL teams and whose son, Wes Sherrill, is the prep team kicker currently), UVa alumnus (and former Philadelphia Eagle and Minnesota Viking) Merrill Robertson, Duane Ashman of the Denver Broncos, and John Hilton (a Pittsburgh Steeler in the 1960s and former NFL coach).

Other invitees, whose attendance has not been confirmed at this time, include veteran quarterback (and FUMA's first Heisman Trophy winner) Vinny Testaverde, former Dallas Cowboy (and NFC Rookie of the Year) Robert Jones, San Francisco Forty-Niners quarterback Jim Druckenmiller, Green Bay Packers star Tyrone Davis, former Eagle and Patriot Don Oakes, former Green Bay Packer and current head of the Packer's scouting department John Dorsey, former New York Jet Maurice Anderson, former Washington Redskins Steve Hamilton and Brian Kozlowski, and many more.

"Football is one of the only sports where academic success is essential for professional success," said Dan Thompson, the Academy's Director of Communications. "Before a player arrives in the NFL, he must first have succeeded a good college program. We are proud that so many outstanding young men have come to Fork Union for that academic preparation. We are excited to have the incredible filmmakers from NFL Films help tell the story of their success."

About Fork Union Military Academy

Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, is a college preparatory military boarding school for young men in Grades 6 through 12 and postgraduates. Affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia and open to those of all religious denominations, Fork Union was founded in 1898 and has a rich tradition promoting character, leadership, and scholarship.

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Contact: Dan Thompson, 434-842-4372 or 434-996-7772