Five enshrined into NJCAA Football Coaches Association HOF

Charlotte, NC – Five individuals who left lasting impacts in the NJCAA football ranks have been inducted into the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, announced by the National Office on Tuesday. Roark Montgomery of Navarro (TX), Dr. Jack Mull, Cam Newton of Blinn (TX), Cordarrelle Patterson of Hutchinson (KS), and Steve Zabel of New Mexico Military have been enshrined in the 2019 class.

Roark Montgomery

Administrator – Navarro (TX)

A staple in the NJCAA, the late Roark Montgomery's passion for junior college athletics was evident throughout his tenure at Navarro College in his hometown of Corsicana, TX. Montgomery has been named to the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame posthumously for his contributions to the game as an adminstrator.

A member of the NJCAA Football Committee for over 15 years, Montgomery was elected as chair of the committee in 2008, a position he held for 10 years. Through his involvement not only at the national level, but also with the Southwestern Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC), Montgomery guided the association through a period of football grandeur that included a national championship for the Navarro program in 2010. Montgomery's oversight of the committee included the implementation of a strength of schedule computer ranking among a vast array of other initiatives that have paved the way for success at the junior college level.

Along with Montgomery's dedication to NJCAA Football, the Bulldog visionary served at the perennial power for 30 years, including as Athletic Director from 1994 until his passing in 2018. Montgomery joined the Navarro department as its golf coach in 1988 and was named the NJCAA Region XIV Coach of the Year on five occasions. Montgomery represented his region well where he served as the NJCAA Region XIV Men's Director for 18 years along with multiple sport committee chair positions.

A native of Corsicana, Montgomery attended Texas State University before receiving his Master's degree from UT-Tyler.

"It is hard to put into words my thoughts on Roark Montgomery. Suffice it to say that I can't drive through Corsicana and not think of him. He dearly loved his town and his College. He had so much pride in Navarro College, and I must admit that I had to smile when I thought about what his reaction would have been when Navarro  hoisted the trophy with his name on it this season. He was, to me, the resident expert in the sport of football for our region and the nation. He served masterfully as the chair of the NJCAA Football Committee for many years, and that was not an easy task! I am deeply thrilled that he is being inducted into the NJCAA Football Hall of Fame. I miss my friend, but I know he is looking down with great pride on his beloved Navarro College, and I know he would be deeply moved by this honor." – Tim Drain, Associate Vice Provost – Student Affairs, Tyler (TX)

Dr. Jack Mull

Contributor – Hutchinson (KS)

Dr. Jack Mull's mission to support community college athletics has paved the way for opportunities through a variety of avenues. A native of Chanute, KS, Mull's dedication to the Hutchinson Community College football program, and the NJCAA Football scene as a whole has established one of the most recognizable bowl games for the association.

Inducted as a contributor to the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Mull guided the introduction of the Salt City Bowl in Hutchinson, KS in 2009, an event that has attracted top-tier programs for 10 years. The Salt City Bowl's ability to garner premier competition stems from Hutchinson's state-of-the-art facility, Gowans Stadium which received a major contribution from Mull who spearheaded the fundraising project. Gowans Stadium will also serve as the host for the 2020 NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship. Hutchinson unveiled the Jack Mull Family Football Complex at Gowans Stadium in 2014.

Mull graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1961. Mull currently serves as the Vice President of Genzada Pharmaceuticals and Hyatt Life Sciences.

"Dr. Mull has been so instrumental in many projects at Hutchinson Community College. Dr. Mull's contribution to the Hutchinson Community College Football program to make the Jack Mull Family Football Complex Addition and Renovation a reality is life changing for the program. In addition to this project, Dr. Mull's contributions to the program are many and have and will continue to make a difference to many student athletes and coaches, not only at Hutchinson Community College, but all athletes that visit the HCC campus for events like the Salt City Bowl and the NJCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Dr. Mull has truly been a difference maker and his legacy will live on for many years to come." – Rion Rhodes, Head Football Coach, Hutchinson (KS)

Cam Newton 

Quarterback – Blinn (TX)

From Brenham, TX to the NFL – Cam Newton's start at Blinn (TX) in 2009 spearheaded an unheralded decade of success that has culminated with his induction to the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

After transferring to Blinn for the 2009 season, Newton's leadership as the Buccaneers' signal-caller led Blinn to the program's fourth national championship following a thrilling 31-36 victory over Fort Scott in Pittsburg, KS. A dual-threat option for the Buccaneers, Newton threw for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 655 yards and 16 scores in his lone season for the Bucs. In the national championship game, Newton threw for 111 yards and rushed for 99 yards with a touchdown to lift Blinn to the title. Following the national championship run, Newton was named to the NJCAA Football Honorable Mention All-America team.

Newton's success on the gridiron at Blinn catapulted the Atlanta, GA native to Auburn, a decision that brought unprecedented accolades. Newton captured the coveted Heisman Trophy after guiding the Tigers to the 2011 BCS National Championship. Behind a stellar collegiate resume, Newton became the first NJCAA alum to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Newton's impact in the NFL was felt immediately where he earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors after setting single-game and single-season rookie passing yard records. Newton's career reached new heights in 2015 after earning the NFL MVP honor and led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. Newton currently holds over 20 franchise records to coincide with numerous individual NFL records and accolades.

"When I saw Cam, you could tell he was athletically gifted, but from the time he stepped foot on our campus in January, I saw a level of maturity and leadership growth throughout the year. If you asked Cam his first week on campus, he would have told you it was what he needed to get the ship going in the right direction. The growth that he made as a leader at Blinn helped him grow into a man that's paid off in his future endeavors. Ultimately, that leadership helped us win a national title.

There will always be players that want to play quarterback in Brenham, Texas because of Cam Newton. He'll always have a footprint on the program."  – Brad Franchione, Former Head Football Coach, Blinn (TX)

Cordarrelle Patterson

Wide Receiver – Hutchinson (KS)

Cordarrelle Patterson's ability to burst through opposing defenses in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) was on full display for two years. A two-time NJCAA All-America selection for the Hutchinson (KS) Blue Dragons, Patterson joins this year's prominent induction class into the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

From 2010-11, Patterson was recognized as one of the most electrifying threats across the NJCAA landscape. A two-year span culminated in 16 career or single-season program records for the Blue Dragons. Patterson was recognized as a two-time All-KJCCC selection and the 2011 KJCCC Offensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, Patterson was named to the NJCAA Football Special Teams All-America Second Team. The Rock Hill, SC native followed up his rookie campaign with a selection to the First Team All-America offense squad in 2011 after accounting for 1,814 all-purpose yards.

Patterson's success at Hutchinson caught the attention of the coaching staff at Tennessee where the wide receiver made an immediate impact. An All-SEC selection, Patterson scored a touchdown in 10 of the Volunteers' 12 games and set a single-season team record with 1,858 all-purpose yards for the storied program.

A highlight-filled collegiate career propelled Patterson into the NFL where he became the first Hutchinson alum to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft after the Minnesota Vikings chose the former Blue Dragon with the 29^th overall selection. Patterson's career has also included stops with the Oakland Raiders, a Super Bowl victory with the New England Patriots, and current spot with the Chicago Bears.

"CP is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of Hutchinson Community College football and the NJCAA. He was an unbelievable blend of speed, agility, balance, power and explosiveness. He was truly capable of scoring every time he touched the ball. We worked hard to find as many was as we could to get the ball in his hands. He was a great teammate and had a great sense of humor that made everyone around him better. His contributions to the University of Tennessee, the Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and now the Chicago Bears are well documented. He has not only been a pro bowler and a record breaker in the NFL, but he has become a fan favorite through his well documented pregame interactions with the fans. CP is the ultimate example of the role community college athletics can play in launching young people forward in life. I am not only proud of his accomplishments as a player, but the man he has become." – Rion Rhodes, Head Football Coach, Hutchinson (KS)

Steve Zabel

Tight End – New Mexico Military

A prominent name throughout all levels of collegiate and professional football, Steve Zabel's legacy began at New Mexico Military Institute where a prolonged career has led to the induction into the NJCAA Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Zabel joined the Bronco program in 1966 as a standout multi-sport athlete via Denver, CO. Along with his time on the gridiron, Zabel lettered masterfully in basketball and track at NMMI, but football was his true calling. In his one season in Roswell, Zabel earned NJCAA First Team All-America honors as a tight end in 1966. Zabel's competitive but swift nature on the field attracted the interest of the Oklahoma Sooners. Sooners' head coach Chuck Fairbanks described Zabel as "an extraordinary competitor" with "great athletic instincts."

While at Oklahoma, Zabel garnered All-America honors in 1969 and was a three-time Academic All-Big 8 honoree. Zabel's efforts for the premier program led to the sixth overall selection in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Zabel's immediate impact earned team Co-MVP honors in 1971. Zabel's 10-year career path in the NFL included stops with the New England Patriots under Fairbanks before retiring with the Baltimore Colts in 1979.

Zabel's community efforts include the founding of City Care Inc., a non-profit organization that serves less fortunate by feeding the homeless, providing low-income housing, and tutoring and mentoring children. Zabel is also the creator of 'The Tug', a patented football training apparatus that helps strengthen and condition athletes. Zabel was inducted into the New Mexico Military Institute Hall of Fame in 1994.

"Steve is just a remarkable person and so much of a gentleman. He is humble and unassuming – a gentle giant – still in perfect shape, who looks like he could still work out and play today. He spoke fondly of his time at NMMI and the maturity factor it brings to a young kid and how it prepares them for all the trials afterwards, whether it's getting to a big program like the University of Oklahoma and then finally into the ranks of the pros, or just being successful at adapting to different environments." – Major General Jerry Grizzle, NMMI President/Superintendent

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