On Friday, Cinque Chapman will get his college degree. On Saturday, he'll play in a football game for the first time in over two years.
He'll be in the lineup for the groundbreaking game with the Fargo-Moorhead Liberty semi-pro team.
"I'm trying my passion again," Chapman said.
His passion came to a halt following the 2006 season. Chapman rushed for 737 yards as a freshman in 2005, but injuries limited him to 341 yards as a sophomore.
Academic ineligibility shut the door on his final two years.
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"First, I had to get my act together off the field," Chapman said. "I've got that together. There's been a lot of ups and downs but I'm still glad to be around and being able to get back on a field."
He's getting his degree in university studies with an emphasis in social science. Chapman participated in NDSU's "Pro Day" in front of several NFL scouts in March, but his performance wasn't up to NFL speed.
He's hoping to parlay his Liberty experience into something bigger like an arena league or the CFL.
"But I'm two years behind, so I need to get some tape," he said, in reference to having videotape of himself to send to teams. "I feel good. I've been taking care of my body."
Chapman is one of four former Bison players currently on the roster joining quarterback Tony Stauss, cornerback David Earl and wide receiver Nick Jackson.
Stauss last threw a pass in 2004, but it shouldn't take long to get his right arm in shape.
"We're going to throw, throw, throw, throw, throw," said head coach Dale Heffron.
Heffron said if the Liberty don't get 500 yards in the air against Nebraska (a 3:30 p.m. start at Alex Nemzek Stadium), fans will get a free ticket to the June 7 game against Willmar at the Fargodome.
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Most of the games will be played at Moorhead High School.
The players do not get paid nor do they pay a fee to play, which Heffron said is the case with the other teams in the Northern Power Football League.
For players like Chapman, it's a chance to show what they can do again.
"It's a big weekend," he said. "I'm pretty excited about this weekend."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546.
Kolpack's NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
Liberty schedule
May
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- 10-vs. Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. (MSUM)
- 17-at Rochester, 7 p.m.
- 24-at Duluth-Superior, 5 p.m.
- 31-at Farmington, 7 p.m.
June
- 7-vs. Willmar, 3 p.m. (Fargodome)
- 14-vs. Lakes Area, 7 p.m.
- 21-at South Metro, 7 p.m.
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- 28-vs. Northern Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
July
- 12-vs. Northern, 7 p.m.
- 19-at Willmar, 5 p.m.
- 26-at Lakes Area, 7 p.m.
August
- 2-vs. South Metro, 7 p.m.
- 9-NPFL playoff semifinals
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- 16-NPFL championship game
Note: All home games at Moorhead High unless otherwise noted
