What is achievement? By definition, achievement is a thing done successfully; typically by effort, courage, or skill. But to these three brothers, achievement just means so much more, especially on the football field. Here are the Alpha Nu football “Trio” and their stories.

Jamaal Darden is an A&T graduate with a degree in sports science and fitness management. He hails from the small town of Raeford, NC where he was raised by both of his parents. He is the middle child between his 5 other siblings. Darden has four brothers in which he feels he has made a strong impact. He wants nothing but the best for his family and for them to make positive life choices.

Darden was a late comer when it came down to starting to play football. He didn’t start playing until he got to high school during his 9th grade year. Darden would often get in trouble growing up, but football kept him out of it once he realized it was his passion. Football also allowed him to stay focused throughout school and keep his grades up. Darden carries the third (3rd) most tackles on the team with forty-eight (48) of the 2018-2019 season. Darden is a starting Safety for the NC A&T Aggies.

Timadre Abram is a senior, sports science and fitness management student from Lakeland, FL. This is a small town where athletic scholarships come in few and far between. Abram was one of three seniors in his class blessed with the opportunity to further their athletic career to the collegiate level. Abram is the only one out of the three that kept up with their craft once they got to college. Abram was raised by both his parents and is the middle child between his four other siblings. Abram grew up in a strong Christian household and gives thanks to God every time he steps on the field. He recognizes all that he has done to get him to where he is currently.

Football was introduced to Abram at the age of 8, and since then, it has had a huge impact on his life. Football is the, “light in my life that keeps me motivated,” said Abram. “Without football I wouldn’t be blessed with a full-ride scholarship to A&T and further my lifelong dreams. Football has allowed me the opportunity to travel across the United States and for me to see things I never thought I’d be able to see before. It is truly a blessing”. Abram leads the Aggies this season with the most interceptions (3), and 24 completed tackles, as well. Abram is also a starting Defensive Back for the Aggies.

Malik Wilson is a senior journalism and mass communications student with a concentration in mass media from Burlington, NC. He was raised by both his parents and is the middle child between his three other siblings.

Wilson’s football origin story is different from a typical one. He didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year of high school. Wilson initially was just on the track and basketball teams at his school. Wilson’s Wide Receiver coach from high school was also the track team coach. He told Wilson to come out to football tryouts to, at least, try it out because he saw the potential in him as a player. Wilson tried out as Defensive Back first and did terrible, so the coach told him to try out for a position on offense. It was then that Wilson shined at the Wide Receiver position. That same year Wilson made the team and played varsity his sophomore year…his first time ever playing football. During his junior and senior year, he was breaking school records and getting recruited from colleges.

Wilson leads the Aggies football team this season in number of kick returns with 16. He has 579 yards total for kick returns for the season. That is an average of 36.2 yards for each return with his longest return being 100 yards. Wilson has the 3 rd most catches on the team for the season with 29 accompanied by 353 yards. That is an average of 12.2 yards for each catch. Wilson has three (3) touchdowns for the season. He also is the 2nd team leader of all-purpose yards for the season with a total of 1,004 yards. Wilson is the starting Wide Receiver for the Aggies.

Jamaal Darden, Timadre Abram, and Malik Wilson crossed Spring 2018 into the Alpha Nu Chapter (North Carolina A&T State University) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The Spring 2018 line at Alpha Nu was a resurrection line. The students and faculty at A&T had not seen this fraternity on campus for seven years. For the whole campus community this was something special to see and it was something special to become a part for the brothers that
crossed.

“The Alpha Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. holds a lot of rich history as well as it holds a lot of respect. To be apart of such a prestigious chapter means a lot because our chapter is known for high Achievement and being the best. We expect everyone who wears Alpha Nu to represent it to the highest of their ability, and to also reach peaks that they didn’t
know they could reach”, said Wilson.

Becoming apart of this tradition in Kappa and continuing the legacy at Alpha Nu means a lot to the Trio. “Granted the opportunity of being a part of this chapter in the best fraternity in the world is a blessing. I couldn’t imagine myself not being Alpha Nu. I have met so many brothers that gave me so much knowledge just within the few months I’ve been a member of this fraternity. Alpha Nu has a rich history and me and my brothers are trying to carry on the tradition and make an impact on campus and on the football field.” said Darden.

Timadre Abram states that, “Carrying this legacy means everything to me. It makes me realize that Kappa is bigger than me and my actions now will have an effect on the future generations to come through Kappa and Alpha Nu. The bond in this fraternity is unbreakable and like no other and it’s a legacy that I would like to continue and pass down to my children one
day.”

After college, each member of the Trio has career goals they would like to pursue. For Malik Wilson, he has goals and aspirations to go to the NFL and he further elaborates on that. “After college I’ll hire an agent and begin training for Pro Day and hopefully receive a chance to be at an NFL minicamp. After football is over, I will pursue a career with my degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Mass Media Production. While I’ve been in school I have interned at the campus radio station over the summer, WNAA. And I have also interned at other radio stations like 107.5 KZL and WLXI TCT. I look forward to pursuing my dreams of being a broadcaster on a national level or a TV personality with my degree after my football career is over.” Timadre Abram will be going to grad school and will be looking to pursue a career in the athletic directory. Jamaal Darden will be planning to come back and coach defense for NC A&T State University. All three of them aspire to play in the NFL.

Since Alpha Nu was “off the yard” for so long, there was always speculation throughout the years on when they would ever be coming back. Some didn’t have the chance to cross undergrad and were not given the opportunity to pledge Alpha Nu. The Trio never knew when their time would come to try and make this commitment to the fraternity. When last Spring came around and they were chosen, they were excited for the opportunity to finally do something they’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

When asked what made them want to cross over this fraternity, Timadre Abram had a lot of input to give. Timadre Abram stated, “Crossing Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was best fitting for who I am as a person and who I aspire to become in the future. This was a decision made for the future generations of my family. I want for not only my future kids to represent achievement in every field of human endeavor and to follow in the footsteps of God, but the whole ‘Abram’ family name. I am the first Greek in my entire family and I wanted to start this legacy off the right way.” He took the words right out of Darden and Wilson’s mouths as they completely agreed with him.

This season the A&T Aggies football team had an overall 9-2 record and 6-1 record within the MEAC conference. On December 15 th , 2018 they will be playing in the Celebration Bowl for the 4 th year in a row with the opportunity of winning their 3 rd Bowl title.

This will mark each of the Trio’s last season being eligible to play for A&T and they each recently reflected on their football careers. Here’s what Timadre Abram had to say: “As far as football I couldn’t be more thankful with the outcome of my career. I became a 1 st All-Conference Defensive Player followed by a preseason All-American Honor. As a team we have
won three MEAC championships and two guaranteed Celebration Bowl titles with the possibility of one more. The only thing that could top off my career would be an invite to an NFL organization.”

Malik Wilson had a different view on his career so far. “Although we’ve achieved a lot on the field, I am nowhere near satisfied and still have some steps to take to get where I want to go. I have plans on breaking records, being an All-American, and making an NFL team.”

Lastly, Darden stated, “I’m never satisfied with my performance, but the ultimate goal is the next level and I won’t stop until I get there.”

We as a chapter at Alpha Nu are extremely proud of what the Trio has accomplished throughout their football careers and the impact they have had on campus while they have been at A&T. Their efforts never go unnoticed and they stress the importance of being well-rounded and show great examples of what a Kappa Man should be every day. They may have busy schedules from practices, games, community service, and school but they always seem to make time for the fraternity and their brothers.