Code of Honor



Story:http://www.gsu.edu/magazine/604.html

Video:http://vimeo.com/27585979

Quote:Vince Lombardi called them his War Council. In 1965 - Bill Curry's rookie year with the Green Bay Packers - that group included future Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Davis, Bart Starr and Forrest Gregg. The team won the NFL Championship that year, and the Packers went on to become the decade's football dynasty.

"They were great leaders and great men, and I just observed how they worked," Georgia State's head football coach now remembers. "They provided consistent leadership and positive leadership for the team."

They also sharpened Curry's perception of what it means to be a leader. As a unit, they set the standard both on and off the field, and they kept the players and Lombardi, the Packers' fiery head coach, from ever coming to loggerheads.

On each of his teams throughout Curry's long and illustrious coaching career, he's sought to assemble his own core group of players - team members who lead by example in the classroom, in the locker room and, as Curry tells it, "in the fourth quarter when we're coming down the stretch against an outstanding football team."

Now, as Georgia State football gets set to enter its sophomore season, Curry has established a Leadership Council of 13 young men who are committed to the pursuit of excellence as students and as athletes, and who are leaders for the entire Panther football team.

Kalan Jenkins
94
Position: Defensive Tackle
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise Science
On the field: Starting defensive end for the Panthers' inaugural team
On being a part of the Council: "I transferred in after everyone had been here for a year, so to be elected to the council was a great honor. It's something I respect and take
very seriously." Brandon Jones
20
Position: Safety
Year: Redshirt Senior
Major: Sociology
On the field: Game captain for the inaugural game. Team Leadership Award winner following spring practice.
On being the conduit for the head coach: "We're the guys [Coach Curry] comes to, and we tell him how we feel and how our teammates feel. And he really takes in what we have to say." Michael Davis
(Leadership
Council
President)
68
Position: Guard
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Business
On the field: A knee injury sidelined Davis for the entire 2010 season, but he
is ready for 2011.
On being a leader and council president: "We have a definition of a leader: A consistent, powerful, positive presence, so, it was a great honor to be elected president, especially considering I didn't play last year." Ben Jacoby
(Leadership
Council Vice President)
62
Position: Center
Year: Redshirt Senior
Major: Computer Information Systems
On the field: Starting center
and Top Offensive
Performer following spring practice.
On becoming a team leader: "One of the goals I had when I came here was to become one of the leaders of this team. Having achieved that is definitely an accomplishment." Akeen Felder
37
Position: Outside Linebacker
Year: Redshirt Junior
Major: Sociology
On the field: Special teams standout and captain of the special teams for 2011.
On being a member of the Council: "It means a lot. I was nominated by the guys on the team, which means more to me than being nominated by the coaches."


Kail Singleton
36
Position: Safety
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Exercise Science
On the field: Versatile defender who plays both safety and outside linebacker.
On coming together as Leaders: "We're bonding like brothers, so I think things will really turn this season. It's going to help us become a better team. It's a real big privilege to be part of this." Arthur "Bully" Williams
84
Position: Tight End
Year: Senior
Major: Sociology
On the field: Starting tight end and offensive team captain for 2011.
On the expectations of the Council: "It means that you have to meet the standards that coach has set, and everything he stands for. I feel like I have something to prove at all times. And I'm not a bully, except on the field." Mark Hogan
(Leadership Council secretary)
23
Position: Outside Linebacker
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Finance
On the field: The Panthers' first-ever scholarship football player and starting "Wolf" linebacker.
On the Council's role: "We set the example. We lead by action, lead by speech and we lead by our style of play. But it's what we do off of the field that makes us true leaders." Rosevelt Watson
3
Position: Running Back
Year: Redshirt Junior
Major: Accounting
On the field: Starting tailback last season. Awarded Team Leadership Award for offense following spring practice.
On being recognized as a Leader: "It means a lot that the coaches saw leadership in me early on. As leaders, we're always trying to move forward and do the right thing."

Brent McClendon
9
Position: Cornerback
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Major: Middle Secondary Education
On the field: A key player in the secondary. Also plays safety in certain packages.
On emerging as a Leader: "I've never been called a leader by a coach. I was told I was too small to play college ball, and that gave me a drive. For coach to see that in me, it feels good." Emmanual Ogbuehi
88
Position: Tight End
Year: Redshirt Junior
Major: Chemistry
On the field: Caught the very first touchdown pass in GSU history on a four-yard completion against Shorter.
On the Council's legacy: "To be a part of the first ever Leadership Council at Georgia State is special, and being able to build a tradition for the future is a real honor." Christo Bilukidi
53
Position: Defensive End
Year: Senior
Major: Sociology
On the field: Led the team in sacks. Elected one of GSU's permanent team captains for 2011.
On leading by example: "Our teammates look to us for leadership, and they know they can come to us. And we hold ourselves accountable as team leaders." Jake Muasau
35
Position: Outside Linebacker
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology
On the field: Voted the Most Valuable Defensive Player for GSU's inaugural team.
On the importance of the Council: "People look up to us and we have to set the tone in every aspect - academics, on the field and also being a good person."