Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
In the past 20 years of NCCU’s athletic history, only Franklin E. Tate won a letter in both football and basketball. He was also a winner of all-conference honors for his play as linebacker. After graduating from NCCU in 1975, he played linebacker for two professional teams, the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders.
A native of Gastonia, N.C., Tate has worked since 1988 as Athletic Director of Sadgefield Junior High School in Charlotte, N.C. His teaching career has been at the junior high school level, in Durham County and Mecklenburg County. He has been a junior high coach of the year in basketball, golf and football, and has also been nominated for Teach of the Year honors.
(bio from program at the time of induction)
