Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame
James Earl Harvey, a native of Fayetteville, NC (Douglas Byrd High School), earned the nickname “Air” for the dynamic aerial assault he displayed on the NCCU gridiron from 1985-88.
A four-time First-Team All-CIAA selection, Harvey set NCCU, CIAA and NCAA Division II records for career passing yards (10,621), career total offense (10,667) and career touchdown passes (86). He still holds NCAA Division II records for total offense (3,008) and passing yards (3,190) by a freshman, as well as most touchdown passes in a game by a freshman (6 vs. Johnson C. Smith, Nov. 9, 1985).
Harvey also maintains NCCU and CIAA single-game records for pass completions (33 vs. Johnson C. Smith, Nov. 9, 1985), passing yards (550 vs. Jackson State, Aug. 30, 1986) and total offense (536 vs. Jackson State, Aug. 30, 1986).
He was a finalist for the Harlon Hill award, recognizing the NCAA Division II football player of the year, in 1986 (5th) and 1988 (3rd).
As a 1988 American Football Coaches Association All-American, Harvey guided the Eagles to the second-round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
