Rod Chisholm is a Charlotte-area high school legend.
He scored more than Ryan Lochte. He spent more time in the endzone than he did midfield.
When he came to App State in 2008, there were some hopes he could morph into another K-Rich.
And those hopes were wrong.
He’s appeared in just 15 games, all in 2009 or 2010. Last year his grades forced him off the field.
This fall he’s back, with one last shot at new opportunities.
Today, Chisholm is back on the team and in the mix to start at running back for the Mountaineers, who open their season Sept. 1 at East Carolina.
As importantly – if not more so – Chisholm is also back on the Dean’s List at Appalachian State, where he expects to graduate in December with a degree in Communication Studies.
“I’ve got the mentality now that I know what’s important to me,” said Chisholm, a former star at West Charlotte and Independence high schools. “I’m not going anywhere without an education. And you can’t play football without the academics.”
Foster said Chisholm also didn’t miss a day of summer workouts. Chisholm and (Steven) Miller will likely split time, with Chisholm (5-foot-9, 195 pounds) doing a lot of between-the-tackles running and Miller playing in more of a “scatback” role.
While Chisholm has been in Boone since 2008, Miller was a transfer last season. They have a combined 624 rushing yards on 124 carries in three seasons of App State play.
Since the days of the TD Machine we’ve been pining for a new star RB. Could this be the year?
Sometimes all it takes is a change of perspective to make things come together. Here's hoping that the lightbulb has come on for Rod and that he finishes up his career strongly.
Many times we focus on the negative stories. Chisholm's turnaround in the classroom is a real positive, both for him and our school. Here's hoping he also plays up to his potential (and stays healthy) this year.
Dean's List is a great accomplishment! And it sounds as though he has put some positive work in.
CAA adds Albany and Stony Brook for football only….
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8249…
Jason Hunter
As I recall, RC had been on the SoCon Academic Honor Roll prior to his academic difficulties.
I'm hopeful he has a year that allows him to live up to his potential. If the OL can provide the blocking, I think between the 3-4 backs we have, we can resurrect our running game.
Just hope he didn't take African Studies classes at UNC over the summer to get his grades up
It all depends on what the OLine does. If we get back to dominating up front then our backs are plenty good enough to score points.
I wish Chisolm the best. Having a K-Rich as a dedicated, dominating RB coming out of the backfield caused nightmares for our foes during the glory years. So many people focus on AE wreaking havoc on the ground that they overlook the threat Richardson posed to defenses and how it kept them off-balance.
To have Chisolm step up and be that man also increases the difficulty and complexity of defensive planning, and that increases our chances of winning.
Besides, I appreciate stories of people who overcome tragedy, mistakes, etc. to persevere and succeed. Go get 'em, RC!
I would be happy just to have a Devin Moore caliber back coming into this season. I am afraid the rushing attack will be lackluster again this year.
asu7 +1
It's all about the O-Line, nuff said
Tysean Holloway is the next Kevin Richardson.
and the team has won absolutely nothing since Kevin Richardson graduated. i've never understood why they can't recruit a real running back?
if AE had someone in the backfield, he would have had 2 more rings!
I almost missed this interesting perspective from last Saturday's Media Day, including interview comments at end with new O-Line coach (Ledford) and Kendall Lamm.
http://blowingrocknews.com/sports-a-recreation/31…
Way to be positive there ILM_APP! Stay with that…it'll get you places.
Listen guys, RC has the tools. With the right blocking him and Moore should be a great duo running the ball. Also, you've got to give the guy credit for making the Dean's List. That's awesome.
I agree about the O line though. That's key. Wonder what Cadet could have done with decent blocking up front.
I'm really looking for Rod to have a big year for us. He's taken care of business in the classroom and finally has a good position coach that leaves him the dog house for no reason. If teh O-Line comes together our running game should be much improved.
Honey Badger is on the market – and he plays a position could use some talent.
Of course – he was actually dismissed for disciplinary reasons, so….
We really need a running game this year outside of the QB. Jackson will not bring us the speed we've had there in last 8 years.
And I'd take the Honey Badger