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Alabama State University Athletics

Marion Nine and Jarvaris Jackson 2023 Award Winners

Football

@BamsStateFB Announces Marion Nine and Tarvaris Jackson Award Winners

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson announced the Marion Nine Perseverance Award and the Tarvaris Jackson Legacy of Leadership Award on Saturday. 
 
This year's recipient of the Marion Nine Perseverance Award is Stefan Young-Rolle, while receiver Kisean Johnson was named the Tarvaris Jackson Legacy of Leadership Award winner.
 
Young-Rolle earns the privilege of wearing the prestigious number nine jersey that will have a patch on the jersey in honor of the Marion Nine, who created what is now known as Alabama State University.
 
Young-Rolle played in 10 games posting 27 total tackles including 12 solo stops in 2022. The Miami, Fla., native also had three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
 
The Tarvaris Jackson Legacy of Leadership Award grants a tuition scholarship for the fall and a patch of Tarvaris Jackson will be on Johnson's jersey for the 2023 season. 
 
Johnson played nine games in 2022, tying for the team lead with 31 catches and a team-best 530. yards with three touchdown catches.
 
The head coach and coaching staff collaborate and decide the recipient of both awards each year. 
 
ABOUT THE MARION NINE PERSEVERANCE AWARD 
ASU is the global entity it is today because of the fortitude of nine freed slaves from Marion, Ala., who sought to build a school for African-Americans previously denied the right to an education. The foresight of these men, now remembered as the "Marion Nine," created what is now known as Alabama State University.

The Marion Nine included Joey P. Pinch, Thomas Speed, Nicholas Dale, James Childs, Thomas Lee, John Freeman, Nathan Levert, David Harris, and Alexander H. Curtis. These co-founders and original trustees, with assistance from Marion community members, raised $500 for land, and on July 18, 1867, filed incorporation papers to establish the Lincoln Normal School at Marion.

The Lincoln School opened its doors on November 13, 1867, with 113 students. In 1873, this predecessor of Alabama State University became the nation's first state-sponsored liberal arts institution for the higher education of blacks, beginning ASU's rich history as a "Teacher's College."
 
CRITERIA
1. Exhibit Leadership, perseverance, endurance, and high moral character.
2. The recipient must act with integrity and respect for others across all endeavors.
3. Put others' needs ahead of his own.
4. Performed at least 10 hours of community service within the last 12 months of the award
being announced.
5. Spoken highly of peers and training staff.
6. Works hard on and off the field, doesn't miss practice, and has an OUTSTANDING work ethic!!
7. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
8. Freshmen are not eligible to receive the award.
 
ABOUT THE Tarvaris Jackson Legacy of Leadership Award 
The Tarvaris Jackson Award comes through the Bama State F Phi B Alumni Association in memory of Jackson. Jackson led the Hornets to the SWAC Championship as a junior in 2004 before moving on to the NFL after the 2005 season. The Montgomery, Ala., native spent nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle  
 
CRITERIA
1. Recipient must act with integrity and respect for others across all endeavors.
2. Put other needs ahead of his own.
3. Performed a minimum of 10 hours of community service within the last 12 months of the award being announced.
4. Spoken highly of amongst peers and training staff.
5. Works hard on and off the field, doesn't miss practice, and has an OUTSTANDING work ethic!!!
6. Minimum 2.8 GPA.
7. Has a BIG Heart and a warm CHARISMATIC spirit.
8. Recipient doesn't have to be the most outstanding player on the team. The recipient has to meet
criteria and must show and exemplify qualities of a LEADER!!!
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kisean Johnson

#1 Kisean Johnson

WR
6' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kisean Johnson

#1 Kisean Johnson

6' 0"
Sophomore
WR