University of North Carolina Athletics
Albert Long Named To FCA Hall Of Champions
November 13, 2007 | Football
Nov. 13, 2007
(Kansas City, Mo. - Former North Carolina star athlete, Albert Long Jr., will be inducted later this month into the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions in recognition of his service to the organization. Long joins former Western Kentucky All-American quarterback and head coach Jimmy Feix ("Fikes") and former University of Kansas head coach and UNC assistant coach Dick Harp as part of the Class of 2007.
Long earned three letters in baseball, two in football, one in track and one in basketball at Carolina in the mid-1950s.
"During FCA's 53-year history of ministering to athletes and coaches, a number of extraordinary individuals have been used mightily by God to influence others in their communities and the nation to have a personal belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord," says FCA President Les Steckel. "With our three new well-deserving individuals soon to be enshrined, FCA's Hall of Champions will have honored 58 servant-leaders from the world of sports, including such individuals as Tom Landry, Tony Dungy, Paul Anderson, Kay Yow, Roger Staubach and Bobby Bowden."
Long, considered one of the greatest athletes ever to come out of the University of North Carolina, is the only athlete in ACC history to letter in four sports. In 1955 he received the prestigious Patterson Medal as the University's top student-athlete. Starting in college, and continuing through today, Long presents his stirring message to audiences on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"Athletes, by spreading the work of God, can help this country as much as anyone," says Long. "All they have to do is play on the team coached by Him."
After graduating from college, Long embarked on a career in the U.S Air Force and would eventually go on to become a successful businessman. He has received numerous awards from church and community groups and was chosen to serve on the Advisory Council for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1965. Currently, Long lives in Durham, NC with his wife Jackie.
Danny Lotz, a member of UNC's 1957 NCAA basketball championship team and a longtime friend of Long, tells that wherever Albert goes there are people who report the impact he made on them years ago. Johnny Evans, FCA's director for eastern North Carolina, echoes Lotz's comments, and says, "Around the state of North Carolina, you really can't think of FCA without thinking of Albert Long. Albert has probably spoken in more high schools than anyone in our history. I know I was impacted by Albert's testimony when I was in high school some 35 years ago. What a faithful servant of the Lord Albert has been through the years."
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes "Hall of Champions" was established in 1991 as a way to recognize FCA servant-leaders who have faithfully served Christ through the vehicle of FCA. Each honoree, elected by a select committee composed of Board Trustees, Home Office and Field staff, has demonstrated a consistent commitment to the support of FCA vision, mission and values. Each "Champion" will receive a plaque bearing a sculpture of their likeness to be placed in the "Hall of Champions" in FCA's Home Office in Kansas City, MO.
