PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Sports Network named three Hampton University football players to the preseason Sports Network All-America team on Friday. The Pirates earned one first-team and two second-team honors.

Senior wide receiver Jeremy Gilchrist (Virginia Beach, Va.) was named to the Sports Network All-America first team as a punt returner. In addition to being Hampton’s leading receiver in 2007, with 1,043 receiving yards. The first Pirate to catch for over 1,000 yards in a season, Gilchrist also led the NCAA, averaging 19.0 yards per punt return.

Gilchrist, a 2007 Walter Camp All-American punt returner, returned 20 punts for 380 yards last season, including three touchdowns.

Senior offensive lineman Dennis Conley (Suffolk, Va.) and senior defensive back Sam Pope (St. Helena Island, S.C.) were named to the Sports Network All-America second team. Conley anchors an offensive line that helped the Pirates average 133.4 rushing yards per game in 2007, and is a preseason first team All-MEAC selection.

Pope recorded 41 tackles last season for the Pirates, and is a preseason first team All-MEAC selection on defense.

Hampton begins its 2008 season on Sunday, Aug. 31, in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Jackson State. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m. and the game will be televised live on ESPN2. For more information on the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, visit the official website at www.meacswacchallenge.com.

The Pirates’ first home game will be Sept. 13 against Howard.

South Carolina State center Raymond Harrison and Norfolk State safety Terrell Whitehead were the other MEAC players recognized by The Sports Network.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

The original story was published here: http://www.hamptonpirates.com/News/football/2008/8/25/HAMFTB%20(8-25-08).asp?path=football

Tags: black college football, hampton university, hampton university pirates, hbcu football, meac