FLORENCE — University of North Alabama alumnus and football Hall of Famer Evan Oglesby was recently awarded the Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award. He was recogniezed for his contributions through the Evan Oglesby Foundation. The ceremony was at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Oglesby is a 2007 graduate of the Sanders College of Business and Technology, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a former board member of the UNA Alumni Association and was inducted into the North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 for his four-year football career at the university.
In 2005, the All-American defensive back signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. During his career in the National Football League, Oglesby played for the Baltimore Ravens, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins.
The Evan Oglesby Foundation was established in 2006 to provide educational, athletic, and social growth opportunities to children primarily in small, rural towns all over the United States. The foundation strives to address issues and obstacles that children face by getting to know the young people personally and bringing much-needed resources to their communities.
Oglesby said his childhood experiences led to the creation of his foundation.
“My grandmother was a foster parent, and we had different kids stay with her all the time. I thought it was great because I always had someone to play with outside of my siblings,” Oglesby said. “Living in a small town with minimal resources, especially programs designed for youth to dream big, I never met any professional athletes until I was a collegiate athlete. I promised myself that if I ever made it to the professional level, I would come back and have programs for underserved kids.
“That’s what led to the birth of the Evan Oglesby Foundation. The EO Foundation stands for Educational Opportunity – using our athletic ability to provide a college education.”
Oglesby said he would like to partner with UNA to provide sport camps and enrichment programs for local children. “My long-term goal is to have a facility that offers our after-school program and athletic programs for the youth in the Shoals area,” he said.
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