DOVER (June 5, 2008) ? Darnerien McCants, a former Delaware State University football star who went on to play wide receiver in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles, announced today that he is establishing a $10,000 scholarship fund for students attending DSU.
Mr. McCants presented the endowment check to DSU President Allen L. Sessoms during a press conference on Thursday in the DSU Board of Trustees 4th floor conference room, campus Administration Building.
"I am establishing this scholarship because I have run into too many students who want to go to school, but don't have the money," Mr. McCants said. "All students ? male or female, from any academic major ? who have a financial need would be eligible for the scholarships. I especially want to encourage male students to apply for the scholarship, as their numbers in higher education are not where they should be."
"What makes Delaware State University so special is the relationship that we have with our alumni," said DSU Director of Athletics Rick Costello. "What differentiates between a good athletic program and a great one is the special relationship it has with its alumni. We see that once more with Darnerien's generous gift for his alma mater. As an all-American, Darnerien gave the DSU faithful so many great memories. Today, he makes us proud once again. At Delaware State Athletics, our goal is to mold young men and women so that they will be successful in life. Darnerien is a prime example of that. We appreciate for his generosity and look forward to working with him to move this university forward."
The scholarships that will be awarded from the Darnerien McCants Endowed Scholarship will go to full-time DSU students from any academic major. Freshmen students must have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA in high school, sophomores and juniors must maintain a 2.5 GPA and seniors must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible. Financial need will be a priority consideration and the awards will be managed by the DSU Scholarship Committee.
A native of Baltimore and a graduate of Arundel High School in Odenton, Md., Mr. McCants was a walk-on player at DSU where played from 1997-2000. By his senior year he had caught the attention of NFL scouts for his play as a tight end and wide receiver. During his final Hornet season in 2000, he had 36 receptions, 692 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns (including one kick-off return touchdown. His 18 reception touchdowns set touchdown records for DSU and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), which both remain unbroken to this day.
As a result of his outstanding senior year performance, Mr. McCants was a Division I-AA All-American by the Sports Network Division, the Associated Press and the Sheridan Broadcast Network, and he also was a 2000 All-MEAC First Team member. Overall, Mr. McCants ranks third in DSU history in touchdown catches (26) and sixth in receiving yards (1,622) and eighth in receptions (83).
Mr. McCants earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Arts with a minor in education in 2001. The Washington Redskins subsequently drafted him as a fifth-round pick in 2001 to play in the NFL. During the 2003 season, McCants was tied for first in touchdowns on the Redskins. In 2005, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He is currently operating his Washington, D.C. Metropolitan-based business, Macvizion, which produces and markets art, photography and music. He has produced an R&B album titled "My First Seven' and is working toward the establishment of a foundation that will focus on education and giving back to the community.
As a multi-media artist, his works incorporate computer imagery, oil paint, photography, acrylic and other mediums. He has sold over 100 of his own art work creations and frequently exhibits work for the NFL's Smoks and Jocks Art Exhibition and throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.
The DSU alumnus said this is his way of giving back to his alma mater and helping young people.
"Where would I be without DSU?," Mr. McCants said. "I have become a very successful person, and I want to give back to the institution that helped make that success possible."
Prior to the establishment of this endowment, Mr. McCants donated $30,000 to his alma mater, designating his financial support to go towards the Visual Arts Department, Sports Sciences and the Hornets football team. In 2006, he designed and donated football jerseys for the entire DSU Hornets squad.
