Florida A&M University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has introduced a series called Rattler Tales. Rattler Tales is an opportunity for our department to tell our story – from the point of view of the student-athletes, coaches, administrative staff and as donors and fans.
To be featured in an addition of Rattler Tales and tell your story, click the link below to have the opportunity to be profiled as a Donor Spotlight.
RATTLER TALES – DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Jacqueline Cotman
Why do you give (donate to the Rattler Athletic Fund, buy season tickets) to FAMU Athletics?
It is what all Rattlers should do! Athletics used to be the biggest generator of funds for student scholarship assistance. As a former three time Campus Queen, I remember that we received checks from the Athletic Department to purchase Homecoming Suits. Mr. Niles always delivered our checks to Dean Annie Lee Cooper. My mom was a star Lady Rattler on the 1943, 1944, and 1945 Women's Basketball Teams. Her older brothers were Sammie Dean Gardner and James Jerome Gardner, who both were the first to receive Football Scholarships from Coach Jake Gaither after they received Associate Degrees from Edward Waters College in 1938. They were on FAMU's first team to start beating opponents 50 to 0! Uncle Sammie was the quarterback and Uncle Jimmie played left tackle; their cousin Georgia McDuffie played on the team as well. They were graduates of Union Academy High School in Bartow, Florida.
Tell us about some of the best FAMU Athletics memories that you have.
I was in the stands during the very first game of the season my freshman year at FAMU when Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Hayes was flown, by helicopter, from the Tallahassee airport after arriving from Japan's Olympics. He stepped out of the helicopter, which had landed on the 50-yard line. He was wearing his Gold medals and U.S. Olympic Track Suit. He waved to the crowd as he ran into the locker room. He emerged a few minutes later wearing his Rattler Football uniform, joined the team to play in the first play of the game. He was at the opponent's goalpost and received the ball and ran as fast as he could down field! He ran fast, the crowd of fans were all standing in disbelief! The opponents stopped trying to catch him. They gave up center field! Bullet Bob Hayes ran a 99-yard touchdown!
Why should others give (donate to the Rattler Athletic Fund, buy season tickets) to FAMU Athletics?
Perhaps, it is the greatest manner in which to show physical support to skillful student-athletes. This helps to motivate them, and it serves as a tremendous spirit building mechanism, which helps to inspire others to give.
More about Cotman
I am a third generation graduate of FAMU. Our family's fifth generation graduated two in 2017, one fraternal twin remained to earn a Master's Degree in 2018! It was my grandfather Jessie E. Nixon, a native of Midway, Florida who was one of the five men who graduated in the first graduating class in 1892 after the school became a land grant institution in 1890! Additionally, several of my relatives have been Star Athletes at FAMU as well: Wilbur "Bull Dog" Gary, James, "Big Jim" Williams, Clarence Montgomery, Ulysses Harley, Earl Hudnell and Dan Gardner to name a few. Friends: Major "Stick" Hazelton, Nathaniel "Nature Boy" James, Rudolph "Monster" Sims and others.
