QUICK FACTS

Name: Tim Shankle Born: Feb. 29, 1988, in Gainesville, Fla. Parents: Leemon and Florence Shankle Siblings: sisters Michele and Lynn; brothers Kevin and Jeff. Tim is the youngest. Hometown: Gainesville, Fla. High School: Eastside Major at NCCU: Recreation Administration Favorite Food: Boudin, Cajun style of sausage Favorite Athlete: Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins Favorite Musician: Plies, rapper from Florida Favorite Movie: “Independence Day” Favorite Book: “Their Eyes Were Watching God”

Question: What is your major and what do you want to do after graduation?
Tim Shankle: “I am majoring in Recreation Administration, and I am on schedule to graduate in May 2011. Hopefully, I can get a shot to play football at the next level. However, if that does not happen, I’d like to work in the parks and recreation field to establish a youth flag football league. I am actually working on starting a league right now for disabled youth here in Durham.”

Q: What was your reaction when you found out that you had been voted by your teammates as the 2010 offensive team captain?
TS: “Honestly, I started crying. It meant a lot to me. It meant that my coaches and teammates think a lot of me.”

Q: What do you like most about NCCU?
TS: “Putting on the maroon and gray. Most of my clothing is maroon and gray. Plus, I have met so many people and have a lot of good memories to take with me when I leave.”

Q: What has been your most memorable moment at NCCU?
TS: “Next to being on the sideline for the 2006 CIAA championship game, I’d say the Thursday night opener earlier this season, being a new team with older guys and as a leader of the team.”

Q: What is your favorite part about game day inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium?
TS: “Running out of the tunnel and taking that walk to midfield for the coin toss, knowing that once that coin goes in the air it’s time to buckle up the chin strap and get to work.”

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals?
TS: “I rub one of my tattoos of my high school friend (Dante Anderson) who passed away, and I call my parents about an hour before every game for a family prayer.”

Q: Do you have any famous relatives?
TS: “Well, there is a town in Texas - Shankleville - that is named after my grandparents, Jim and Winnie Shankle. My grandfather swam across the Mississippi River to be reunited with my grandmother.”

Q: If you could invite any living person to W.G. Pearson Cafeteria for lunch, who would it be?
TS: “My parents. I enjoy our relationship and how it has grown the past four years. The love and support they have given me, it’s hard to pick anyone else but my mom and dad.”

Q: How would you like to be remembered on the NCCU gridiron?
TS: “As a leader... a guy that plays hard every play.”