About the Eagle Club
The purpose of the North Carolina Central University Educational Advancement Foundation, Incorporated (the “Eagle Club”) is to promote and support intercollegiate athletics at North Carolina Central University, to solicit gifts to be applied to the athletic program under the guidance of the administration of the University and to use such solicitations in accordance with the regulations established by the State of North Carolina, the UNC Board of Governors, the North Carolina Central University Board of Trustees, the athletic conference with which the University is affiliated, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Internal Revenue Service. The objective of the Eagle Club is to provide scholarship support and assistance to North Carolina Central University student-athletes and to provide support for other NCCU athletics initiatives.
The LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education Complex houses a multi-purpose gymnasium, Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool, athletic training facilities, strength and fitness center, and much more. O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium hosts NCCU football action for a capacity crowd of 10,000 dedicated Eagle fans. In November, McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium lights-up with men's and women's basketball excitement (3,056 capacity).
North Carolina Central University Educational Advancement Foundation
The Eagle Club is dedicated to building champions for a better community and brighter future through NCCU athletics. NCCU athletic programs have enjoyed national and conference championships. Sixteen men's and women's sports teams participate in the NCAA, and the program is currently transitioning to NCAA Division I.
The Eagles have a history of national championships. In 2006, the football team won the SBN Black College Football National Championship, and in 1989, the men's basketball team won the NCAA Division II Men's National Championship.
Several former student-athletes and coaches are nationally and internationally known. Heading the charge of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games was Dr. LeRoy T. Walker, President of the U.S. Olympic Committee, who lifted the Eagle track & field program to international prominence during his unprecedented tenutre as head coach at NCCU. Under Walker's reign, the Eagles produced 30 national titles, 77 all-americans, and eight Olympic medalists.
Legendary basketball practitioner, John B. McLendon, a member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, established a remarkable record of 239-68 (.779) as an Eagle head coach from 1940 to 1952. A student of the late Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, McLendon is credited with the development of the zone press, fast break and four corners offense.
Boston Celtic great Sam Jones, a student-athlete under McLendon and a fellow Hall-of-Famer, became the first black player to be drafted in the first round after scoring a record 1,745 points during his stellar NCCU career. Internationally-renowned artist, Ernie Barnes, best-known for his famous paintings seen on the 1970s sitcom "Good Times," played football for NCCU prior to a professional gridiron career with the Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos.
NCCU is the alma mater of many other outstanding alumni in athletics, including the legendary high school coach, Herman "Ike" Boone, played by Denzel Washington in "Remeber the Titans."
These are just a few of the Eagles who have made a difference both on the court and in the arena of life. And the legacy goes on ...
Join the Eagle Club today as we continue to build today's champions and tomorrow's leaders!
Above: John B. McLendon
Right: Sam Jones
