With Central State getting back on the field in Greene County this week, here are seven things to know about the Marauders:
1. Central State football was a powerhouse in the 1980s and ‘90s.
The Marauders won three NAIA Division II national championships from 1990-95, and they were runner-up in 1983 while competing in NCAA Division II.
Legendary head coach William “Billy” Joe helmed the program from 1981-93 before giving way to Rick Comegy.
The program sent several players to the NFL over the years, most notably Erik Williams, who was a member of the dominant Dallas Cowboys offensive lines of the 1990s, and Hugh Douglas, a standout defensive end for the Jets and Eagles.
Financial problems forced the suspension of the football program in 1997, but it was restored in 2005.
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2. Central State is a historically black college that gained university status in 1965.
Since 2014, CSU has competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with other Division II HBCUs.
CSU is the only Ohio school in the SIAC, which includes members from Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
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HBCU Digest named Central State the nation's top historically black college in 2017.
3. The team’s nickname and colors are an homage to history.
CSU founding president Dr. Charles H. Wesley chose the Marauders moniker as well as the school colors of maroon and gold.
Settlements of escaped African slaves in the Americas were called “Maroons,” a name also given to residents of those communities.
According to Wesley, those who fought in defense of their settlements, for overall independence or in raids against European ships were known as Marauders.
Gold was selected to represent acquired through teaching and learning on the CSU campus.
4. CSU has a national recruiting base.
The 2017 roster included natives of California, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.
There were also nine area players: Offensive lineman Aaron Evans of Jefferson, defensive backs Henry Alexander III and Derrick Roberts and fullback Tion Seldon of Springfield, Lawrence Inman of Fairborn, linebacker Kobe Holtz of Kenton Ridge and receiver Renon Lorenzo, offensive lineman Lawrence Mosely and linebacker/running back Mikey’ion Hunter of Trotwood-Madison.
5. Last season, the Marauders went 1-9. Their win came Oct. 14 when they beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-35 on the road.
Among their losses was a two-point setback against Morehouse College and a five-point home defeat at the hands of Fort Valley State.
Coach Cedric Pearl has a record of 11-29 in four seasons at CSU.
“I tell people we’re in the teenage years of our return,” Pearl said with a chuckle. “Yes, the program flourished in the 90s, but they were the beneficiaries of possibly more scholarships and more coaches as well. I can’t say that for sure, but from what I hear from the older players and older coaches, they had the full allotment of everything they needed to be successful.”
6. Changing divisions while trying to rebuild has created additional challenges.
NCAA membership has brought a higher level of competition, and it has allowed the team to play showcase games at Soldier Field, Lucas Oil Stadium and in the Bahamas.
It also presents the opportunity to gain national television exposure every December via the NCAA Division II playoffs, and Pearl noted CSU games have become available to stream on WatchESPN since he took over.
“I think Division II is where we need to be,” Pearl said. "There are some programs in our conference that have made some big strides in the playoffs, so you can get there. As with anything, you have to build a program.”
7. Central State is set to conclude spring football with its spring showcase event at 1:30 p.m. on April 21 at McPherson Stadium.
Of course, CSU’s famous Invincible Marching Marauders will be part of the festivities while fans will get a chance to see the 2018 football team in action for the first time.
Among returnees is quarterback Trent Mays, who threw for 1,573 yards and five touchdowns while running for six scores last season. Mays is one of two Steubenville juveniles convicted of sexual assault in a case that made national headlines in 2012.
Also back is senior running back Terraris Saffold, who ran for 869 yards and six touchdowns last season, and sophomore linebacker Kailen Abrams, who logged 86 tackles last season.
Central State will open the 2018 season on the road Sept. 1 against Elizabeth City State.
“At this point, we’re trying to do everything possible to get the program back to that level (of the ‘90s),” Pearl said. "(University president Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond) is doing an outstanding job of improving the program and getting it going in the right direction, and that’s one of the reasons it is exciting to be the head coach here.”
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