Squadron 50 of the Sons of the American Legion Announces Recipients of Third Annual “Evans-Howard College Football Leadership” Awards

Pelham, N.Y., May 24, 2013 – Two cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and another from the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College in the Bronx, N.Y. have been presented with the third annual “Lt. Eugene Lee Evans - Lt. Col. Eli Page Howard Jr. College Football Leadership” Awards presented by Sons of the American Legion Squadron 50 of Pelham N.Y.

The 2013 recipients are Malcolm L. Brown of Bay Shore, N.Y.; Joshua A. Jackson of Lawrenceville, Ga.; and Martin J. Brown of Huntington, N.Y. The award is presented annually to football players at Military academies who demonstrate “Athletic Achievement, Leadership and Commitment to Service”. 

“Malcolm Brown, Josh Jackson and Martin Brown embody the traits of character that enable many athletes to become the military leaders of the future,” said Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Commander of Squadron 50. “Throughout the 2012 season, these three young men demonstrated excellence in athletic achievement, leadership and commitment to service – qualities that were evident no matter the outcome of any particular game. Their athletic accomplishments and personal integrity made them worthy choices of the selection committee for 2013 Squadron 50 College Football Leadership Awards.”

Malcolm Brown was a four-year letterman at running back for The Black Knights. He played in 37 games for West Point, carrying the ball 230 times for 1,468 yards (average of 6.4 yards per carry) and scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 16 passes for 322 yards (average of 20.1 yards per catch) and four receiving touchdowns. In the 2010 and 2011 Army-Navy games, Brown scored four touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving in each game. Brown will be commissioned as a second lieutenant during upcoming West Point graduation ceremonies and will serve in the Field Artillery.

Josh Jackson was a four-year letterman at defensive back for Army. In 42 games, he logged an even 100 tackles and grabbed three interceptions, including one in the Black Knight’s 16-14 victory over SMU in the 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. He was also a punt return specialist with 38 returns for 235 yards (average of 6.2 yards per return). Also to be commissioned as a second lieutenant in upcoming ceremonies at West Point, Jackson will serve in Air Defense Artillery. 

Martin Brown was a four-year letterman at defensive lineman for SUNY Maritime. Twice named a game captain for the Privateers, he is a three-time member of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference All Academic Team and a member of the NCAA National Honor Society All-Academic Team. Brown, who intends to become a Naval Aviator, was recently commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy and will report for flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.) later this summer.

The Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 50, Pelham, N.Y., “College Football Leadership Awards” were created in 2011 to recognize excellence in leadership, athletics and service by football players.

The awards honor two past natives of the Pelham community who were standouts in high school and college football and distinguished themselves in military service. Members of the 1949 National Championship football team and commissioned from the historic Army ROTC program at Morgan State University, Lt. Eugene Lee Evans and Lt. Col. Eli Page Howard Jr. were both killed while leading U.S. Army units during combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, respectively.

Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 of Pelham, N.Y., produces a pair of radio programs covering topics related to the military on WVOX 1460 AM in New Rochelle, N.Y. Squadron 50’s original weekly program, The Sons of the American Legion Radio Report, focuses on issues relating to veterans and the active military. It is broadcast 12 months a year every Monday afternoon from 2:30-3 p.m. on WVOX 1460 AM and live over the Internet at WVOX.com. Past episodes are archived at www.legionpost50ny.com and on the national American Legion website at: http://www.legion.org/sons/radio

Squadron 50 also produces The West Point Football Report, a radio program which airs during the football season. More than just a discussion of games, players and plays on the football field, The West Point Football Report explores the history and traditions of the U.S. Military Academy and often features alumni who describe their experiences during service in the Army. Reports on the games played by Navy, Air Force and SUNY Maritime are also featured. During the football season, the program is broadcast Tuesday nights from 5:30-6 p.m. on WVOX 1460 AM and WVOX.com.

The Sons of the American Legion is a subsidiary of The American Legion, the world’s largest veterans organization. Squadron 50 is part of American Legion Post 50 Pelham, N.Y. Throughout the year, Post 50 conducts a variety of projects to support veterans and the local community. Post 50 organizes Pelham's Memorial Day parade and has served as a New York City Fleet Week host for the last ten years. In 2007, Squadron 50 has been active with an ongoing Veterans History project which led to the creation of the Evans-Howard Award and, in 2011, to the dedication of the Jewish Chaplains Monument at Arlington National Cemetery. More information is available at www.legionpost50ny.com and at Facebook: Sons of the American Legion Radio.