LONNIE HARRIS
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Years: 1977-81
After A&T: Played semiprofessional football.
Highlight: Getting “greased” by older, bigger upperclassmen like George Small, A&T’s current head football coach, and Wheeler Brown, the assistant athletic director.
JOE “BLOOM” BLOOMFIELD
Hometown: Rockingham, N.C.
Years: 1973 ?” 77
After A&T: Played semiprofessional football for Carolina Chargers. Worked for Duke Energy.
Highlight: Beating South Carolina State 16-15 for the 1975 MEAC championship, and celebrating the victory with the fans.
ROBERT REID
Hometown: Middletown, Pa
Years: 1952-54
After A&T: Taught elementary school for 10 years, and high school for 29 years.
Was elected the first black mayor of Middletown, Pa.
Highlight: Getting headbutted by a boxer from Shaw University. When he went to the hospital to get stitches, some of the medicine ran in his eye. The next day his face was swollen and red. He had won the fight, but everyone thought he had lost. To this day, a small scar still exists.
ROBERT EARL “HIGH POCKETS” BRYANT
Hometown: Kinston, N.C.
Years: 1959-63
After A&T: Was drafted into the Army. Played and coached semiprofessional baseball until he broke a rib. Has since retired.
Highlight: In a road game against Delaware State. The Aggies were ahead by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the tying run at third, a Delaware State batter attempted a sacrifice bunt. Bryant, anticipating the bunt, caught the ball and also tagged the runner. His double play ended the game and secured A&T’s third straight CIAA baseball championship.
HENRY “FLIM-FLAM” FLEMING
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Years: 1962-67
After A&T: Served in the military, overseas in Germany. Earned a Master’s degree, and taught and coached for 10 years. Retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
Highlight: A 1967 game against Howard. A&T was ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs when a Howard player hit a pop-up just beyond second base. Fleming intended to catch it, but a teammate called him off. Moments later, the teammate yelled that the sun was in his eyes and Fleming would have to catch the ball. It was too late. The ball dropped to the ground, two Howard baserunners scored, and the Bison went on to win the 1967 championship.
Compiled by copy desk chief Chad Roberts