“Black history and culture is all around us,” said Director of Multicultural Education Initiatives Jada Drew. “People either care not to explore it or are ignorant to the fact that it exists and is ever evolving.”
Inducted into Guilford’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Heggie holds multiple records for the Quakers with 618 career rushing attempts and 18 rushing touchdowns in a single season. The talented running back rushed for 3,242 yards, which is second best in Guilford’s record books.
Jackie Robinson’s and Muhammad Ali’s stories are mentioned every February, but what do we know about the influential student athletes who have paved the way at Guilford College?
Heggie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history, and he lettered four times in football.
The motivated student athlete was determined to be more than just a college football player. He wanted more.
The first athlete that comes to mind is David Heggie ’98.
In his first year, he earned the league’s player of the year honors. As a sophomore in 1995, Heggie earned All-American honors and All-South honors, which are rarely given to underclassman.
“Isn’t he that YMCA dude?” said junior Tyler Griffis when asked about Heggie. Others simply stated that they had never heard of him.
“It was awesome to play with David,” said Heggie’s roommate and friend William Rochelle. “He came to practice and games with a winning attitude, winning effort and most of all wanted to help everyone around him get better.
In, 2008, Heggie became the first African- American to be named Executive Director of the YMCA.
Regardless, Heggie is way more than just “that YMCA dude.”
And in 2013, he was awarded the Young Alumni Achievement Award and is currently a member of Guilford’s board of directors.
Born in Raleigh, Heggie was the youngest of three children born to Garnel and Mary Heggie.
“He is the definition of a champion.” As a junior, Heggie earned Guilford’s English Award, which is the College’s most prestigious award for athletic ability and
Heggie’s legacy influences many of our athletes today, including current junior All- American Satiir Stevenson.
Heggie’s father instilled values into his son at a young age.
“David Heggie’s legacy paved the way for athletes because it gives us hope to accomplish what he has,” said Stevenson. “It makes you want work harder and strive to be better.
“My father was oriented towards military and farming, so from the time I was five years old, I worked” said Heggie. “One thing I always brought with me onto the football
leadership. To complete his list of achievements,
field was my work ethic.” Heggie is one of few African-Americans
Heggie received Guilford football’s most valuable player award in 1998 during his final season.
“I feel honored to be mentioned (amongst) those that came before me, such as the M.L. Carr’s,” said Heggie.
As a running back and punt returner, Heggie was named All-ODAC five times during his career with the Quakers.
Upon graduation, he became an assistant football coach for the Quakers. After coaching for four years, he began a new career at Bryan Family YMCA.
