The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Fugate, Douglas commit
Longtime best friends sign offers to play at Northern Michigan
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 8, 2007
They've been best friends since the fifth grade, and now they will get to play Division II football together alongside Lake Superior.
Advertisement
Milan seniors Cedric Douglas and Justin Fugate signed National Letters of Intent to accept football scholarships at Northern Michigan University.
In addition to being teammates at NMU, the two friends, who were co-captains on the varsity squad this year, hope to be roommates.
"We always talked about playing football together in college, but we never thought it would come true until now," Fugate said.
Fugate was a first team All-State defensive end, as well as All-Region and first team All-Huron League. He made 52 tackles with seven for losses and three quarterback sacks this season. He knocked down five passes.
He considered Southern Illinois, Grand Valley State and Ferris State, but was sold on NMU during a visit.
"I liked everything about (NMU)," he said. "I'm a country boy and when you're practicing, you look over to the right and you see Lake Superior."
That Douglas was going to be there was an added bonus.
Douglas was a second team All-Huron League selection at linebacker this year. He was the second leading tackler for the Big Reds with 54. He considered Wayne State University and Ferris State before settling on NMU.
"It's serene up there," Douglas said of the school. "I like to hunt and fish, and there's plenty of territory up there for that."
In some ways, Douglas and Fugate are two peas in a pod. They love football, being outdoors, and both plan to study special education.
"These guys epitomize the word student-athlete," said varsity football coach Steve Robb. "For four years, they've done everything we've asked them to do. I think it's unique and very special that they're going to be able to play college ball together. I'm happy they ended up together."
Fugate and Douglas believe the transition from high school football to college play will be easier since they will make it together.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
Staff Blog, "Inside The Newsroom"
TOP JOBS
