Former Air Force Academy coach will speak at Christian Athletes banquet

Fisher DeBerry, the all-time winning head football coach at the Air Force Academy, will be the featured speaker at the annual fundraising banquet for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on Thurs., Mar. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Park South Hotel on Midlothian Turnpike.

Reservations must be made in advance by calling the FCA, and sponsorships are available. All proceeds support the campus and camp programs of FCA, a 501(c)3 ministry.

DeBerry led 17 of his 22 teams to winning records and 12 captured bowl bids. His career record of 169-107-1 is the best in the history of the Air Force Academy in games won and winning percentage. He was named Western Athletic Coach of the Year three times and received the prestigious "Bear" Bryant NCAA National Coach of the Year Award in 1985.

DeBerry was quarterback coach and offensive coordinator at the Air Force Academy for three years under Ken Hatfield, before being named the Falcons' head coach in 1984. His Falcons beat national power Notre Dame three times during his coaching career. The Air Force dominated the Commander in Chief's Trophy with DeBerry, winning 14 awards against the Army and Navy, compiling a 34-8 record against the Midshipmen and Army Black Knights.

DeBerry held the head post at Air Force for 23 years before retiring in December 2006 as the all-time winning football coach in academy history.

For more information on sponsoring or attending the FCA banquet, contact Michael P. Stock, FCA Greater Richmond/Capital Region area director, at 272-2001. To learn more about the group, visit www.fcavacap.org.