Kates finds second chance at Virginia Union

Credit: ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

Andre Kates got off to a great start this season, being named the CIAA defensive back of the week after a win over Benedict.

'); } else { $('.sidebar #main_title').after('

' + content + '

'); } $('.poll_mod .poll_form .poller .poller_results .result_pollerTitle:last').nextAll().remove(); $('.sidebar .expendable').remove(); if ($.browser.msie) { $('.sidebar .re_content .audio_section').parent().remove(); } $('.sidebar .re_content .sidebar_segment:last, .sidebar .sidebar_segment:last').addClass('flat').addClass('borderless'); function lightBoxer(sectionClass, imgClass){ $('.' + sectionClass + ' img.primary').click(function(){ var imgSrc = $(this).parent().children('.' + imgClass).attr('src'); var imgAlt = $(this).attr('alt'); var imgAbstract = $(this).parent().children('.prime_ab').text(); var imgCredit = $(this).parent().children('.prime_credit').text(); imgCredit = '' + imgCredit + ''; var overlay = '

' + imgCredit + '

' + imgAbstract + '

x close'; var rootImgHeight = $('.' + sectionClass + ' img.primary').height(); var scrollDownAmount = $(window).scrollTop(); $('body').css('position', 'relative').append(overlay); $('#lightbox_overlay').css('visibility','visible').hide().fadeIn(300, function(){ var imgWidth = $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img img').width(); var imgHeight = $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img img').height(); var boxWidth = imgWidth + 40; if(imgHeight 950) { $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img img').css('width', '955px'); var modWidth = $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img img').width(); $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img').css({ top: scrollDownAmount + 50 + 'px', width: 955, marginLeft: ((955/2) * -1) - 20, visibility: 'visible' }).hide().fadeIn(500); $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img .desc').width(955); } else { $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img').css({ top: scrollDownAmount + 50 + 'px', width: imgWidth, marginLeft: ((imgWidth/2) * -1) - 20, visibility: 'visible' }).hide().fadeIn(500); $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img .desc').width(imgWidth); } }); $('#lightbox_overlay .light_img').click(function(){ $('#lightbox_overlay').fadeOut(300, function(){ $('#lightbox_overlay').remove(); }); }); }); } lightBoxer('photo_section', 'primary'); lightBoxer('alt_photo_section', 'big'); lightBoxer('mugshots', 'big'); }); //-->

By: CHRIS HARRIS | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: September 29, 2012 Updated: September 29, 2012 - 12:00 AM

RICHMOND, Va. --

People find solace in a variety of places. Andre Kates found peace at Virginia Union.

"This (Union) is a great fit for me. I think I picked a great school," Kates said. "Union makes you feel like home. .?.?. I'm just thankful that they gave me a chance to be here."

Kates' road to Lombardy Street was a long winding one that began at Surrattsville High (Md.) and Friendship Edison (D.C.) before brief stops at the University of Florida and Erie Community College (N.Y.). At ASA Junior College in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kates was named Triumphant Sports junior college player of the year in 2009 and chose Indiana among the 20 scholarships offered.

"That was a big jump," Kates said of his transition from ASA to IU. "When I finally got out there on the field, I was like 'Dang, I'm really here.' I looked around and saw my name on banners that fans were holding. It was a big jump."

Kates played in five games for Indiana and made three tackles, including two solo stops against Towson.

He also held former Ohio State Buckeye and current Houston Texans wide receiver DeVier Posey to zero catches.

However, after expressing on Twitter his displeasure of then-coach Bill Lynch for lack of playing time, Kates was dismissed after two seasons.

Kates said he didn't go on Twitter to call out Lynch and the coaching staff, but rather responded to a question from one of his followers.

"One of the guys I knew asked me about my playing situation and I answered according to how I felt at the time. Not realizing who was following, the media picked up on it.

"So I learned to not talk about football on Twitter," Kates said. "I've grown past that. Like when a defensive back gets beat for a score, you have to forget about it and move on to the next play.

"I've moved on."

Kates talked with Arizona Cardinals defensive back Greg Toler, who played at Saint Paul's College. Toler referred Kates to Union defensive coordinator Kevin Grisby.

"I told (Greg) that I was looking for a D-II to transfer to and he told me that he knew someone that is a real good coach that can get you to that next level, to the NFL, where you want to be," Kates said.

Grisby said Kates' impact has helped turn around VUU's program.

"With him and the other transfers we brought in during the spring, they've shown the team what it takes to win the championship," Grisby said. "Being that we had a young group of guys last year, they really didn't have that type of leadership as far as the hard work it will take to win football games and possibly win championships."

Kates' influence was evident in the Panthers' season-opening victory over Benedict. He had five tackles, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, an interception, a safety, a forced fumble and a sack to earn CIAA defensive back player of the week.

"It was a dream come true," Kates said.

And as he helps guide his teammates on the field, Kates said Grisby guides him off the field.

"He (Grisby) still has the young mind and he can still relate to people. Anything you need, he's there for you," Kates said.

"A lot of these young men don't have father figures in their lives and Dre is in that same boat," Grisby said. "And that's part of our jobs. We need to make sure that the guys have that type of father figure where we can show them the ins and outs and keep them on the right track."

Union enters today's game against Livingstone tied for 21st in total defense in Division II, allowing 284.5 yards per game.

"I've been coaching for 18 seasons. I've been a coordinator for 13, and as a group, we have a chance to finish as one of the best defenses I've ever coached in the CIAA," Grisby said.

If the Panthers' defense continues to be stout, Kates may achieve the goal that has eluded him.

"A championship," Kates said. "I've never been part of a championship in my life."

Source: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/2012/sep/29/tdsport02-kates-finds-second-chance-at-virginia-un-ar-2243417/

tebow trade mike the situation jacksonville jaguars jacksonville jaguars benjarvus green ellis