DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - North Carolina Central University senior running back Tony McCord has been named the Nationwide Insurance NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month for September 2010 in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, in the community and on the gridiron as a member of the football team.

In four games during the month of September, McCord averaged 88.0 all-purpose yards per contest, including 207 yards rushing, 75 yards receiving and 70 yards in kickoff returns. Out of the backfield, the senior averaged 7.1 yards per carry and 10.7 yards per catch.

On Sept. 11 versus Winston-Salem State, McCord took a fourth-quarter handoff up the middle and raced 93 yards for a touchdown. The scoring run not only tied the game at 20-20, but it broke the record for the longest run in NCCU history.

On Sept. 25 against rival North Carolina A&T, he amassed a season-best 150 all-purpose yards, averaging 9.4 yards each time he touched the pigskin.

McCord is currently 17th on the NCCU career rushing list with 1,059 yards on the ground.

A native of Stone Mountain, Ga., McCord was a member of the NCCU 3.0 Club in the spring semester for achieving a grade point average of 3.0 or better. He is on track to graduate in December 2011 with a degree in sports management. After NCCU, McCord is considering a career in the military, possibly in the Air Force.

McCord has also participated in several community service initiatives with his football teammates. During the summer, he worked a youth football camp, teaching the kids basic gridiron skills and telling them the importance of staying in school to get an education. McCord and his fellow Eagles have also joined with Duke football student-athletes to create, pack and wrap gift boxes as part of the Durham Parks and Recreation Annual Holiday Shoebox Campaign.

For more information about NCCU Athletics and a complete list of NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month honorees, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.