Paradise found: Armstrong-Brown commits to Hawaii
Consider Diablo Valley College wideout Marcus Armstrong-Brown a poster player for coach Mike Darr's program and all the opportunities that go with it.
He's worked hard on and off the field, and now it's all paying off.
Armstrong-Brown, a former quarterback at Justin-Siena High in Napa, has orally committed to Hawaii after another solid season in which he had 57 receptions and 10 touchdowns, giving him 112 catches and 20 touchdowns for his Vikings career.
"I really had the best two years that I could have ever had," Armstrong Brown said of his time at DVC." I did 100 times better in school and in football, all because of coach Darr. The flat out carefulness that he has with his players, you don’t see it anywhere else."
Hawaii, guided by new head coach Nick Rolovich, a former City College of San Francisco player and coach, also seems like a great fit for Armstrong-Brown. The Rainbow Warriors' high-octane offense suits his playing style, but the academic side swayed him in his decision.
"They have a plan for me and they're diligent about what they're doing to get their players graduated," Armstrong-Brown said.
Rolovich, a former UH quarterback, helped Nevada become bowl-eligible in three of the past four seasons as offensive coordinator. UH offensive coordinator Zak Hill, formerly with Eastern Washington, and receivers coach Kefense Hynson (Norfolk State, Montana) also have proven track records.
Clearly, Armstrong-Brown has benefited from his time with Darr and his staff.
"I'm not sure what things hold me in Hawaii and what my role will be there, but I know that that man (Darr) has prepared me for whatever has to come," Armstrong-Brown said. "I know that I can always go to him if I need anything."
Armstrong-Brown added that athletes "shouldn't overlook" the junior college route.
"Instead of trying to get all these looks out of high school, if nothing's coming to them they should definitely consider playing JC football, and I think the first person they should look to would be coach Darr and DVC athletics, because DVC football really changed my life," he said.
HALL OF FAME
The DVC Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner is Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Norseman Restaurant & Cafeteria at DVC. Dinner is at 7 p.m., and the ceremony is from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. No-host wine starts at 6 p.m.
The inductees are Chappie Lisle (tennis, volleyball, football coach), Al Lewis (basketball), Chuck McInnis (baseball), Kristen Elms (soccer), Paul Gambs (baseball), Kim Bierwith (swimming), Jennifer Kawakami (volleyball, basketball), Ann Burris-Schultz (track & field, cross country), and (posthumous) Lauren McCullough (swimming).
McCullough, who died of cancer in February 2014 at the age of 21, is remembered as an inspirational, courageous, gracious and talented athlete who earned All-American honors in the 50-yard backstroke in 2013. She spent her final months educating others about childhood cancer awareness and having a positive outlook on life. Author of "The Not-Dying Girl blog" (www.thenotdyinggirl.com).
For more information on the HOF induction ceremony, contact Steve Ward, 925-969-2762.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Vikings (10-10, 2-4 Big 8) will try to snap a three-game losing skid at Modesto (8-10, 2-4) on Tuesday. The Vikings will host San Joaquin Delta at 5:30 p.m. on Friday to begin the second half of the Big 8 season.
DVC has endured its share of close losses, including falling by a combined 10 points in its last three games. In an 82-79 overtime loss to Sacramento City on Jan. 19, Damien Banford led the Vikings with 20 points and Spencer Clark had 16 points. Troy Owens Jr. had a productive game with 14 points, five steals, five rebounds and four assists.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Jojuan Carrington had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to go with four steals in the Vikings' 74-65 win over Cosumnes River on Friday. DVC (15-6, 5-2) will travel to Modesto (3-14, 0-6) on Tuesday to complete the first half of the Big 8 season.
DVC is in a three-way tie for second place, one game behind Sierra.
The Vikings, who had just seven players against Cosumnes River, got solid efforts from those who suited up. Safiyyah Yasin had 19 points, Raeona Ford had 15 and Miranda Nelson 11.