ATLANTA – Former North Carolina Central University quarterback Earl "Air" Harvey has been announced as a finalist for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016.
Harvey is among 25 finalists, including 20 players and five contributors, which were selected from a field of more than 175 nominees by a selection committee composed of journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL general managers and football executives. The Class of 2016 inductees will be announced on Oct. 27.
A four-time First-Team All-CIAA selection from 1985-88, Harvey set NCCU, CIAA and NCAA Division II records for career pass completions (690), career passing yards (10,621), career total offense (10,667) and career touchdown passes (86). He broke 15 NCAA Division II career records, including consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass (22) and most touchdowns responsible for (106), and held eight NCAA Division II single-season records.
He was a finalist for the Harlon Hill award, recognizing the NCAA Division II football player of the year, in 1986 (fifth) and 1988 (third).
As a 1988 American Football Coaches Association All-American, Harvey guided the Eagles to the second-round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.
Inductees will be honored during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on Feb. 27, 2016 in Atlanta.
"Players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities have an indelible mark on football at all levels," said selection committee chairman Roscoe Nance. "There has been more talent to come from HBCUs than most people know; this Hall of Fame is about shedding light on that talent."
"The Selection Committee spends hours on research and deliberation," said former New York Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi, a member of the selection committee. "Hundreds of former players, coaches and contributors belong in the Black College Football Hall of Fame, so our job becomes more challenging each year."
For more information, visit
www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
PLAYER FINALISTSJoe "747" Adams (QB, Tennessee State University, 1977-1980)
Coy Bacon (DL, Jackson State University, 1964-1967)
Emerson Boozer (RB, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1962-1965)
Ken Burrough (WR, Texas Southern University, 1966-1969)
Harold Carmichael (WR, Southern University, 1967-1970)
Raymond Chester (TE, Morgan State University, 1966-1969)
Parnell "Paydirt" Dickinson (QB, Mississippi Valley State University, 1972-1975)
Len Ford (DL, Morgan State University, 1944-1945)
Earl "Air" Harvey (QB, North Carolina Central University, 1985-1988)
Harold Jackson (WR, Jackson State University, 1965-1968)
Gary "Big Hands" Johnson (DL, Grambling State University, 1971-1974)
Leo "Lincoln Locomotive" Lewis (RB, Lincoln University, 1951-1954)
Tyrone McGriff (OL, Florida A&M University, 1976-1979)
Timothy Newsome (RB/KR, Winston Salem State University, 1976-1979)
Jethro Pugh (DE, Elizabeth City State University, 1961-1964)
Isiah Robertson (DB, Southern University 1967-1970)
Otis Taylor (WR, Prairie View A&M University, 1961-1964)
Emmitt Thomas (QB/DB, Bishop College, 1962-1965)
Everson Walls (DB, Grambling State University, 1977-1980)
Aeneas Williams (CB, Southern University, 1987-1990)
CONTRIBUTOR FINALISTSJoe Gilliam, Sr. (Defensive Coordinator, Tennessee State University, 1963-1983)
Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones (President, Grambling State University, 1936-1977)
James Frank (President, Lincoln University, President NCAA and Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner)
Lloyd C. A. "Judge" Wells (AFL/NFL scout for the Kansas City Chiefs)
Kenneth Free (Commissioner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, 1978 -1996)
Earl "Air" HarveyNorth Carolina Central University
Quarterback
1985-88
Career Highlights:
• Set NCCU, CIAA and NCAA Division II records for career pass completions (690), passing yards (10,621), career total offense (10,667) and career touchdown passes (86).
• Broke 15 NCAA Division II career records, including consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass (22) and most touchdowns responsible for (106).
• Held 8 NCAA Division II season records.
• Topped CIAA in passing yards and total offense all four seasons.
• Named All-CIAA all four seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988).
• Voted CIAA Offensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988.
• Still shares NCAA Division II single-game record for Most Touchdown Passes by a Freshman with 6 vs. Johnson C. Smith on Nov. 9, 1985.
• Became first player in NCAA history to throw for more than 3,000 yards as a freshman (3,190 passing yards in 1985).
• Selected to 1985 Black College Sports All-America Team (second team) and recognized as Black College Sports Freshman of the Year.
• Guided NCCU to second round of 1988 NCAA Division II Playoffs.
• Finalist for Harlon Hill Award, recognizing the NCAA Division II football player of the year, in 1986 (5th) and 1988 (3rd).
• Honored as a 1988 American Football Coaches Association All-American (first team).
Statistics:
1985: 188-of-392 passing for 3,190 yards and 22 touchdowns; 7 rushing touchdowns
1986: 176-of-371 passing for 2,707 yards and 24 touchdowns; 7 rushing touchdowns
1987: 165-of-328 passing for 2,355 yards and 18 touchdowns; 2 rushing touchdowns
1988: 161-of-351 passing for 2,369 yards and 22 touchdowns; 4 rushing touchdowns
Career: 690-of-1442 passing for 10,621 yards and 86 touchdowns; 20 rushing touchdowns
