FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Gary Holden, Sports Information Director
(540) 365-4306
 
December 9, 2003
 
 
Venable Named All-Region
Earns Football Gazette First Team Honors
 
Ferrum, Va. -- Junior defensive back Darren Venable (Covington, Va./Covington) has been named to the Football Gazette All-South Region first team.  It is the second consecutive year in which Venable has earned first team honors.

          2003 Football Gazette All-South Region Team
 
Prior to the season, Venable was named to the Football Gazette's 2003 Preseason All-America first team, after earning third team All-American honors last season.

Venable was a repeat selection this season as Defensive Player of the Year in the USA South Athletic Conference, formerly the Dixie Conference.  He made 74 tackles this season, including 32 solo and nine for loss for the 6-2 Panthers.  Venable also had six sacks, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble returns, and an interception.  He returned one fumble for a 76-yard score against Methodist College on Oct.18.  Venable is a three-time All-Conference first team selection.
 
As a first team All-Region selection, Venable is once again in contention for All-America honors, to be announced December 15th.  For more information, please contact the Ferrum College sports information office at (540) 365-4306.
 
 
# # #