In the 1970s and 1990s, Central State University of Wilberforce, Ohio was a powerhouse in Black college football. Led by Hall of Fame head coach Billy Joe, the Marauders captured three Black college football national titles.
In the 1970s and 1990s, Central State University of Wilberforce, Ohio was a powerhouse in Black college football. Led by Hall of Fame head coach Billy Joe, the Marauders captured three Black college football national titles.
The dominance continued in the late 1990s and early 2000s under head coach Rick Comegy, who guided Central State to back-toback National Assocation of Interecollegiate Athletics national titles and a Black national championship in 1995.
Among the future NFL stars who starred at Central State were linebacker Hugh Douglass, who went on to a Pro Bowl career with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets, defensive back Vince Buck of the New Orleans Saints and defensive back Anthony Mitchell who played on the 2001 Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.
In 2000, however, everything started going wrong. The football program was hit with several violations, and when financial problems beset the school, the football program was disbanded.
Now, under third-year head coach Al West, the Marauders are looking for a return to the glory days.
“We want to be an elite team in Black college football once again,” West said. “We want to get back to where this program was.”
With no scholarships, building a big time program has been tough, but West, who was an assistant coach at the school under both Joe and Comegy, feels the program is slowly but surely getting back.
“We have the support of the alumni and administration, and that is a big key for us,” he said.
It’s been a slow process.
Last season, Central State finished 5-6 overall. They are in their third season in the Great Lakes Conference.
They return eight starters on both offense and defense. Among the players not returning is quarterback Chris Clark, who not only led the way on the field for the Marauders but was ranked number one academically in the senior class.
“You don’t replace a player like Chris,” West said. “He was the type of player that doesn’t come along that often.”
Among the key returnees are wide receivers Roosevelt Williams and Marcus Fails.
The Marauders are looking forward to playing against West Virginia State in the 11th annual Chicago Football Classic.
“Playing in a city like Chicago and in a venue like Soldier Field is just great for our football team and university,” West said.
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Photo courtesy of Central State University
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