October 26, 2017

THE CITADEL’S MYLES PIERCE DEFENDER OF THE NATION WEEKLY PLAYER PROFILE

 

Bio: Myles Pierce is the son of Michael and Daphne Pierce. His father played football at Tulane from 1986-90 and brother played at Tulane for two seasons before transferring to Samford. In high school, Pierce was a four-year letter winner for the football team and a member of the National Honor Society. He is currently majoring in business administration.

Stats: 2016 – Started all 12 games… first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District… recorded 78 tackles, including 11.0 for loss with 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry… made career-high 12 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in 24-21 win at Wofford… named Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week after his performance at Terriers.

Quote from The Citadel Head Coach Brent Thompson:

“Myles is an outstanding cadet-athlete and football player. He also exemplifies what it means to be a leader both on our team and in the community. Myles has worked relentlessly to be successful on the field and in the classroom. He is a leader and playmaker for our defense and was a key piece of our SoCon Championship a season ago. His work ethic is tireless and equally committed to every aspect of his life including his football responsibilities, academic requirements, and family. He is truly one of the great young men I have had the joy of coaching, and will represent The Citadel proudly as a future alum.”

The recipient of the Defender of the Nation Award will be announced on November 1st from one of the Nation’s (9) military academies and institutions including Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, VMI and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet presented by ACN, will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to honoring the 2017 Defender of the Nation Award winner, the banquet will celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy sponsored by ACN and Legends Award sponsored by Florida East Coast Railway. Notre Dame’s Ross Browner, a member of the FWAA’s 1976 All-America Team and a College Football Hall of Famer will be honored as the Legends Award winner and Georgia Head

ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB AND ITS PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a Sponsor Team of more than 80 companies. The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through corporate and individual support, more than $2,000,000 has been raised to benefit the club’s scholarship efforts. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918or jrocco@touchdownclub.mysites.io). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.mysites.io.

THE INDEPENDENCE FUND
Moving Our Nation’s Wounded Heroes Towards Greater Independence!
The Independence Fund’s mission is to support the Nation’s injured and wounded Veterans with the tools to achieve their independence and freedoms they have fought so hard to preserve! It is a laser-focused non-profit organization that provides independence to severely wounded Veterans through mobility, wellness, and caregiver support. Those who sacrifice for our country do so willingly with great pride and honor, and it is our privilege to serve them!

2016 DEFENDER OF THE NATION AWARD RECIPIENT: ANDREW KING
Andrew King, Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point is the recipient of the inaugural Defender of the Nation Award. A two-year starter at linebacker, King has served as Platoon Leader and Honor Officer and majors in Law and Legal Studies. Jeff Monken, United States Military Academy Head Football Coach, commented, “Andrew is one of the finest young men I have been associated with during my coaching career. He has the respect of everyone in the locker room as well as the Corps of Cadets for his character and his commitment to the United States Military Academy’s values of Duty, Honor, Country I am extremely proud of Andrew and what he has been able to accomplish at the Academy and he is truly one of America’s best.”

2017 DEFENDER OF THE NATION PLAYER PROFILES
• September 21: U.S. Naval Academy / D.J. Palmore
• September 28: U.S. Air Force Academy / Grant Ross
• October 6: Norwich University / Austin Roberts
• October 12: Virginia Tech / Andrew Motuapuaka
• October 16: U.S. Coast Guard Academy / Ryan Robertson
• October 19: Texas A&M / Tyrel Dodson
• October 23: U.S. Military Academy / John Voit
• October 26: The Citadel / Myles Pierce