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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Select 1999 Permanent Football Captains
6/21/1999 | Football
March 22, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. - In a break from past history, Ole Miss head football coach David Cutcliffe announced Monday that the Rebel squad has elected linebacker Armegis Spearman of Bruce, Miss., and offensive tackle Todd Wade of Jackson, Miss., as permanent captains of the 1999 season.
Defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy of Tuscaloosa, Ala., wide receiver Cory Peterson of Germantown, Tenn., and cornerback Timothy Strickland of Memphis, Tenn., were also selected as permanent tri-captains.
In recent years, Ole Miss has named permanent captains the end of each season. Center Matt Luke of Gulfport, Miss., and cornerback Gary Thigpen of Cleveland, Miss., were selected 1998 permanent captains following the Sanford Independence Bowl victory over Texas Tech.
"Being a captain of a football team is a big responsibility," Cutcliffe said. "I think the only way to do it properly is to have the opportunity to provide leadership throughout the campaign that's upcoming. That means spring practice, summer preparation, fall practice, and during the season."
Prior to the change, Cutcliffe discussed the possibility of selecting permanent captains before the season with his coaching staff and the players.
"We asked our squad to think about it and take it as a serious issue. We let them vote for two candidates and restricted the vote to the senior class. When the tally came in, I thought they did a great job. There were two guys that separated themselves from the crowd. Our staff felt very strongly that Armegis Spearman and Todd Wade would be outstanding captains.
"We also had a strong group just behind them that distinguished themselves. We had three young men -- Kendrick Clancy, Cory Peterson and Timothy Strickland -- who were very close in the voting at the next tier, and they are going to be our tri-captains."
Cutcliffe said he felt the naming of captains this early would be a positive thing for the team.
"Having been elected as the leaders by their peers, it makes their voice legitimate," Cutcliffe said. "What they say and take issue with is going to be something the team should react to."
