W.T. Woodson High senior football player Marcus Dash, earlier this week on the Feb. 1 National Signing Day for high school athletes, was scheduled to sign a college letter of intent to play NCAA Div. 2 football at Alderson-Broaddus (A-B) College in Philippi, West Va.
Alderson-Broaddus, affiliated with the American Baptist Church’s, will experience its inaugural football season this fall.
Dash, a Fairfax County native and a team captain at Woodson this past fall season, was offered a scholarship to play wide receiver for Alderson-Broaddus’ 2012 team. The All-Patriot District Player will join the A-B college’s new football team as the school expands its athletic program to include five new sports.
The team will play an independent schedule in 2012, but then plans to compete in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) once its stadium is completed in 2013.
Dash, who began playing football at age seven, competed within the Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC) and Vienna Youth Inc. (VYI) while growing up in Fairfax County.
“The opportunity to play football at the college level has been a dream since I was really young,” said Dash. “I am extremely honored to join A-B’s first-ever football team. It is not every day that someone gets to help build a brand new Div. II football program.”
Dash’s determination to excel in football was evident even while playing youth football. Al Hirsch, Dash’s VYI football coach, said the young Dash was always extremely motivated to excel.
“Marcus had a desire to be successful on the field and off,” said Hirsch. “His work ethic and intensity in practice and in competition was one of the reasons our team was successful. He was one of those players who makes coaching a very rewarding experience. Marcus was the model for youth football.”
On National Signing Day this week, Dash was set to sign his official letter of intent. Those expected to be on hand included W.T. Woodson Athletic Director Daniel Checkosky and Dash’s parents, Dar and Mercedes Dash.
“Marcus is an extremely talented and dedicated player,” said Woodson head football coach Joseph Dishun. “His speed, versatility, and intelligence will help him be a success at the college level. We are extremely proud of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck.”
Chris Moore, a Virginia College Recruiter and an A-B assistant football coach, said, "Marcus is a great addition to our inaugural class at Alderson-Broaddus. His talents are a perfect fit for our Air Raid offense and we are truly excited about his future here. We are glad he decided to be a part of our family. "
Dash will trade in his current W.T. Woodson Cavalier jersey number 32 for the A-B Battler jersey number 83.
“I am trading in my long-time jersey number 32 for the number 83 like [New England Patriots’] wide receiver Wes Welker,” said Dash. “Welker is someone I’m often compared to in my style of play. I may be small, but I am fast and will make the plays.”