Will be Enshrined in NCAA Hall of Fame
BSU's Alston Puts in Long Hours to Complete Historic Day

Bowie, MD ---With a hug from wife Mechelle, the long, historic day finally came to a close for Bowie State University student-athlete Charles Alston.

Alston started the day in Cheyney, PA, with a 7 a.m. wakeup call as a member of the Bulldogs' football team, and ended the day at 9:15 p.m. in Washington, DC, having participated in the Bulldogs basketball season-opener.

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Participating in a football game and basketball game on the same day is unheard of. The feat was such that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Hall of Fame wanted items that Alston wore to be enshrined in their museum in South Bend, IN. Unfortunately it took a society-changing event to make it possible. The attacks of September 11 caused the football game on September 15 to be rescheduled for November 17.

Earlier in the week Alston was amazed that people were making a big deal about his upcoming accomplishments. He said it was no big deal to him as he had played a football game and in a basketball scrimmage the same day when he was attending Independence Community College in Kansas.

Alston, who was named to the 2001 Football All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association First Team just two weeks earlier, had as steady a performance as he had all season. Switching between right and left defensive end, Alston finished the day with four tackles including a sack as the Bulldogs ended their 7-3 season with a 40-6 win over Cheyney University.

After a quick shower and trip to Taco Bell, Alston jumped on the road with Mechelle, making the 125-mile drive to Washington, DC, arriving at 6:50, just 10 minutes before the game was to start.

Even more impressive was that Alston was able to perform well in the seven minutes of action he saw in the basketball game at the University of the District of Columbia. Especially coming off a football game and having only practiced with the basketball team a few times. He came in the game early and grabbed a few rebounds as well as providing a large presence inside. He came back into the game with 6:50 remaining and the Bulldogs trailing by two. He grabbed an important rebound and was fouled, sinking one of two from the charity stripe. All told, he finished with four rebounds and the one point.

"I'm tired, but it's about what I expected," admitted Alston after the basketball game. Amazingly enough he was not satisfied with his performance saying, "I have to get in the gym and work harder. There are things I need to work on like my free throw shooting and my stamina."

Men's basketball head coach Luke D'Alessio was happy with the minutes Alston was able to provide off the bench, especially with a number of players saddled with fouls and others inactive with injuries. "I thought he played well, especially with one practice. "His role will increase as he spends more time in practice."

November 17 - Alston Timeline

7 a.m. -Wakeup call (Ramada Inn, Cheyney, PA)

7:45 a.m. - Down in the hotel lobby to get on the bus to go to breakfast

9:15 a.m. - Arrive at Old Country Buffet for breakfast. Has one helping of scrambled eggs with bacon mixed in.

9:45 a.m. - Back on the bus to go to Cheyney University

10:18 a.m. - Arrive at Cheyney University and head to the locker rooms to change.

10:21 a.m. - Assists the training staff by setting up one of the taping tables.

10:35 a.m. - Takes his pre-game walk on the football field. Wears no shirt despite the temperature being in the mid-50s with a breeze.

11:19 a.m. - Back to the field with the entire team for pre-game stretch.

12:05 p.m. - Kickoff

3:14 p.m. - End of the game and post-game awards ceremony.

3:45 p.m. - In the car (Sports Information Director's rented red Grand AM) for drive to Washington, DC.

4:05 p.m. - With good cell phone reception, stop at Holiday Inn parking lot for interview on ESPN Radio College Game Day with Mel Kiper, Jr. and Dave Revsine.

4:30 p.m. - Interview with Mel Kiper and Dave Revsine.

4:35 p.m. - End of interview and go down the road a quarter mile to the nearest Taco Bell.

4:45 p.m. - Gets two Chalupas for the road and jumps in own car with wife Mechelle driving.

6:50 p.m. - Arrives at UDC and is on the Bulldogs bench before the playing of the National Anthem.

7:16 p.m. - Makes first entry into the game.

8:30 p.m. - Makes second entry into the game.

9:00 p.m. - End of the game (Bulldogs lose 85-82).

9:15 p.m. - Back out on the court to visit family after post-game team meeting.

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