Elon University announced its newest additions to be inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame for 2016. The four-person class includes men's golfer Tim Clark '92, men's cross country standout Brian Keller '97, former football player Chad Nkang '07 and women's soccer star Kam Radford '96, who will all be inducted in a ceremony this Saturday, Sept. 17.
 
Leading up to the induction ceremony, elonphoenix.com has provided a feature each week over each of the honorees. The final installment feature is over Nknag, the second all-time tackler in the history of the Elon football program. Nkang lettered for the Phoenix from 2003-06 and earned first-team All-Southern Conference and second-team All-South Region honors after making 135 total tackles and recovering three fumbles as a sophomore. He was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and picked up first-team All-America honors from four organizations along with second-team Associated Press All-America accolades. The 2005 Football Gazette National Linebacker of the Year and Southeast Region Linebacker of the Year finished fifth in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the top FCS defensive player in the country. As a senior in 2006, Nkang again garnered SoCon Defensive Player of the Year distinction along with all-conference honors. He was named a first-team All-American by two organizations and a second-team pick by two others. In his three seasons on the defensive side of the ball, Nkang amassed 414 total tackles, including 181 solo stops and nine sacks. Nkang was a seventh-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played two seasons with the Jaguars, including the 2007 season that saw the team reach the NFL Playoffs. He set a franchise record as a rookie by making 30 tackles on special teams.
 
What was your first reaction when you heard you were being inducted into the Elon Athletics Hall of Fame?
"Upon hearing that I will be inducted into the Elon Athletic Hall of Fame, I was elated. It's quite an honor to be recognized for my achievements that I did during my time at Elon."
 
What has been the feedback about the recent news from former teammates, coaches, staff, etc.?
"My teammates thought that it was deserving of the honor and mentioned that my performance as an Elon's athletic football player was outstanding."
 
What made you choose to play and attend Elon?
"I chose to attend Elon University because of the dynamic and challenging academic curriculum which also facilitated my athletic aspiration. I was recruited during the All-star game at the Northwestern High School final football season. I was noticed by Coach (Mark) Speir (Elon's former assistant football coach).
 
"I have had offers from other colleges but had not made a decision. Coach Spier and (former Elon head football coach Al Seagraves) came to one of my high school wrestling matches and also visited my home to show support. These acts and visiting the Elon campus made my decision. I looked into the conference and Elon's history and decided this was the place I wanted to call home for the next four years."
  
What is one of your favorite memories as a student-athlete playing at Elon, both on and off the field?
"There were so many memories that stood out during my senior year at Elon. The strength and conditioning coach were having trouble getting the upcoming seniors to come into camp and to the summer workouts. The workouts themselves were tough and vigorous, but he made an offer to have a cookout for those players who pass his test. I was unable to workout with the team for summer that year, but I would see my teammates working hard and getting better so I remember taking it upon myself to train. I was able to motivate myself to persevere and to stand alongside my teammates for our senior year."
 
How did being a student-athlete at Elon help prepare you for life after college?
"Life after college is full of challenges. You do not have a coach, or someone knocking at your door to push you, motivate and remind you that others are depending on you. Elon taught me that you have to be accountable for your actions and prepared to deal with the choices you make."
 
What have you been doing since graduating from Elon?
"I was drafted during my last year of college by the Jacksonville Jaguars.  My career was cut short due to injuries. I now have an eight-year-old son for which I am very proud of."
 
What is the one thing that you miss about being a student-athlete at Elon?
"I miss being a college student. But most of all, I miss having my teammates and the camaraderie shared between teammates and friends."