Harold Randolph

Image source: ECU Pirates Hall of Fame

A native of Greenville and graduate of J. H. Rose High School, James Harold Randolph was one of ECU’s all-time greatest linebackers. Randolph also won boxing championships at ECU two years in a row. In 1978, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. Following a brief career in the NFL, Randolph succumbed to drugs, resulting in time in prison. He has since emerged as a responsible member of society, strengthened by his Christian faith, and committed, as a motivational speaker, to helping others avoid his mistakes. In 2013, Randolph was inducted into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame.

In his three years of play, from 1975-1977, Randolph led the Pirates in number of tackles. He continues to hold the ECU record for total number of tackles with 493. Twice, Randolph received honorable mention for the All-American squad, and twice Randolph was named an All-Southern Conference player. In 1976, Randolph’s strength as a defensive player helped lead the Pirates to the Southern Conference championship.

Randolph had personal issues off the field. In early 1977, ECU football head coach Pat Dye announced that Randolph had been dismissed from the Pirate football team for disciplinary reasons. Later the same year, however, Randolph, reinstated, became the first Pirate to rack up more than 160 tackles in season with 166.

While off-field behavior possibly compromised his chances for success, Randolph was in 1978, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, but never actually played in the NFL. He did play briefly in the Canadian Football League and the U.S. Football League before returning to Greenville in the 1980s.

In 1993, Randolph was arrested by the Greenville Police Department and State Bureau of Investigation in the first of three drug-related arrests. After two years in prison, Randolph emerged a changed man, contributing to the Greenville and ECU community through motivational testimonies outlining the dangers of drug and substance abuse.

Sources

• “All-Stars: Hicks, Randolph, Bolt, Hall A-A candidates.” Fountainhead. Vol. 53, no. 1. August 23, 1977. P. 50. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/58001
• “ECU’s Randolph Off Pirate Team.” Rocky Mount Telegram. February 17, 1977. P. 13.
•  “Harold Randolph.” ECU Athletics Hall of Fame. https://ecupirates.com/hof.aspx?hof=110
• “Harold Randolph.” The Pro Football Archives. https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/rand02400.html
• “Prison brings former star back to reality.” Greenville News (Greenville, S.C.). December 25, 2001. P. 3B.
• Schmitz, Brian. “Randolph a wild, crazy guy.” Orlando Sentinel. May 4, 1985. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1985-05-04-0290340125-story.html
• “Walkon Randolph likes contact of the game.” Fountainhead. Vol. 53. August 30, 1977. P. 19. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/58002