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Another Historic Fauquier Football First
Another Historic Fauquier Football First
By Leonard Shapiro
So what are the chances that two players from small towns only a few miles apart in Fauquier County would be featured in prominent displays at the very same time in the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta?
And yet, that’s exactly what recent visitors have been able to view, with the Hall coincidentally honoring defensive back Haley Van Voorhis of The Plains and Shenandoah University and running back Blake Corum from Marshall and the University of Michigan.
Haley has a table all her own. Last September, she became the first woman ever to play a regular position—not just a kicker or a punter—in an NCAA football game. A junior safety at the Division III school, she took the field for a play in Shenandoah’s 48-7 rout of Juanita last Sept. 23, rushing the opposing quarterback into a hurried incomplete pass.
Her game jersey No. 10 and helmet as well as her photo and an explanation of that historic appearance made up one display at the Hall during national Woman’s History Month in March.
There have been other benefits for Haley, a fearless 5-foot-6, 145-pound dynamo who’s played football with the boys since elementary school.
She now serves as an ambassador for tennis great Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation which, according to its website, is “dedicated to creating leaders by ensuring girls access to sports.”
With college athletes now allowed to be compensated for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), she’s represented by a Pittsburgh firm, Jaster Sports, and has a sponsorship agreement with UnderArmour. The Maryland-based athletic apparel company has recently posted several ads on Instagram featuring Haley, with more to come in print and on line.
“We thought Haley would be a great fit for our company,” said Jordon Rooney, Jaster’s founder. “It’s an entry point for what she want to do with her life. It’s not a one time thing and it’s not about the money. She wants to be a thought leader. She wants to change the way people think about women athletes. We want to get her a seat at that table.”
Meanwhile, at another table at the Hall, there’s also been a display honoring the University of Michigan’s national championship 2023 season. The centerpiece is a Michigan game jersey No. 2 with the name Corum stitched on the back.
That was Blake Corum’s jersey number over a glorious four-year career for the Wolverines that ended with their dominating victory over the University of Washington for the national championship in Houston in January. Blake, who holds the Michigan record for touchdowns, rushed for 134 yards and two scores and was named offensive MVP of the title game.
A two-time All-American, Blake has spent most of the winter preparing for the upcoming NFL draft, where he’s projected by many draft-niks as a late first-round or early second-round pick. Surely, he’s also a lock for future induction into the College Football Hall of Fame after a spectacular college career.
Another Fauquier County first, as well.
