ARLINGTON, Va. - Hampton University's Alonzo Coleman and Justin Durant
earned the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's top football preseason
awards, as announced by the league on Friday afternoon at the Hilton
Crystal City Hotel. Coleman was selected the preseason Offensive Player
of the Year and Durant was chosen the Defensive Player of the Year by
the MEAC head football coaches and sports information directors.

The Pirates were the consensus pick by both media and coaches to win the
MEAC title in 2005. South Carolina State, who tied Hampton for the MEAC
championship last year, finished second in coaches and media polls. 

Coleman (5-11, 190, Jr., RB - South Boston, Va.) led the Pirates in
total rushing yards with 1,133. He led the MEAC in carries last year
(225) and finished second in yards and touchdowns (13). Coleman, the
MEAC Rookie of the year in 2003, has been a first-team All-MEAC
performer the last two seasons.

Durant (6-2, 235, Jr. LB - Florence, S.C.) earned defensive player of
the year honors in 2004 after posting 14.5 tackles for loss (2nd in
MEAC), 99 total tackles (5th), and three interceptions. 

Hampton led all teams with nine players on the preseason All-MEAC first
team. The Pirates also had three second team players for a total of 12.
Morgan state was second with four first team All-MEAC players.
Bethune-Cookman, despite not having any players on the first team, tied
South Carolina State with eight All-MEAC players. S.C. State placed
three players on the first team.

The MEAC Press Luncheon concluded with the unveilling of MEACKIE, the
leagues' first-ever mascot. The mascot is colored in MEAC purple with a
MEAC gold jersey. The jersey features the logos of each of the 11 MEAC
institutions. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the new mascot is his
head, which is shaped into the MEAC logo. MEACKIE can reach a height of
5-feet, 7-inches tall.

Commissioner Dennis Thomas says that MEACKIE is a symbol of the
enthusiam that MEAC institutions have around their campuses.

"We are excited about having our own mascot," Commissioner Thomas said.
"We will use MEACKIE in our local communities, at special events and all
promotional activities." 

MEAC PRESEASON POLLS

Coaches Poll
1. Hampton (8)
2. South Carolina State
3. Bethune-Cookman
4. Morgan State
5. North Carolina A&T
6. Delaware State
7. Howard
8. Florida A&M
9. Norfolk State


Media Poll
1. Hampton (16)
2. South Carolina State (2)
3. Bethune-Cookman
4. Morgan State
5. Howard
6. Florida A&M
7. North Carolina A&T
8. Delaware State
9. Norfolk State