Press Release

Taylor-Slaughter Alumni Center FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 901 East Fifth Street Greenville, NC 27858-4353 Tel 252-ECU-GRAD 800-ECU-GRAD Fax 252-328-4369 [email protected] PirateAlumni.com

Lumberton native receives honors East Carolina Alumni Association’s Black Alumni Chapter recognizes Vonta Leach

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Black Alumni Chapter of the East Carolina Alumni Association has given six individuals and one group distinguished recognition. A new initiative for the chapter, the honors aim to highlight African American alumni, current students, or student groups that have achieved great success in their professions, communities, in leadership, and/or service. Lumberton’s Vonta Leach is among those honored.

Best known for his significant contributions as a Gridiron Pirate and now as a fullback for the in the , Leach ’10 continues to live a Pirate’s life of service. In his hometown area of Robeson County, North Carolina, Leach sponsors the annual Vonta Leach Football Camp, a shopping trip for underprivileged children known as “Shop with a Jock,” a community Thanksgiving giveaway that fed more than 2,000 families in 2010, and a six- week summer program for 50 children. Leach also sponsors local youth baseball teams, provided new football uniforms for his former high school team, and donated new weight room equipment to his former high school. In Houston, Leach also participates in the Texans All Community Team as sponsor of Vonta’s Victories, which provides 20 children with free tickets to every Texans home game. He also works with The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, a school-based project that provides a holistic approach to male youth development, focusing on abstinence and substance abuse education. Leach was selected to the 2011 , named a member of All Pro 2011, and the 2010 All-AFC South Team. “Vonta Leach is being recognized for his significant and lasting contributions made to the East Carolina community. Our University has been advanced and enriched by his sacrifices, accomplishments, service, and leadership. He serves as an example to the Pirate Nation,” said East Carolina Alumni Association President and CEO Paul J. Clifford. The mission of the East Carolina Alumni Association is to inform, involve, and serve members of the ECU family throughout their lifelong relationship with the University.

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CONTACT: Jennifer Watson, Assistant Director for Alumni Communications at 252-328-4902, [email protected], or the East Carolina Alumni Association at 800-ECU-GRAD.

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