Brown: Students blessed to be in the Albany State family

ALBANY — Frank “Choo-Choo” Brown had a pointed message for students during Albany State University’s Homecoming convocation address Friday.

“I’m not a speaker, but I have a message for you young people this morning. You are blessed today to be part of this family,” said Brown, who was the first the first ASU player drafted by the National Football League.

“Never fear taking on a challenge, stand for something and have commitment. Your are going to face obstacles in your life and it’s going to take commitment to get through them.”

In 1968, Brown, a native of Columbus, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round of the NFL draft. Since then, 12 more ASU players have been drafted.

Brown’s NFL career was short, but he enjoyed a 20-year career as a head coach in Fairfield County, Conn., where his teams won two state titles and seven regional championships.

“Commitment is important,” Brown said. “When I was being recruited by (former ASU coach Obie O’Neal), he made a commitment to my mother and grandmother that he would take care of me and make a man out of me.

“That commitment has carried me throughout my entire life.”

Brown said values spring forth from commitment.

TODAY

Homecoming Parade: 9 a.m., Pine Avenue, downtown Albany

Homecoming Game: 2 p.m., ASU Coliseum. Albany State University vs. Clark Atlanta. Admission: $25, adults; $10, children K-12

Fairgrounds at ASU: 2 p.m.-6 p.m., JC Reese Parking Lot. One-day pass, $10; two-day pass, $15. Tickets for games and food sold separately.

Homecoming Step Show 2012: 7:30 p.m., HPER Gymnasium. Hosted By: Jermaine