Louisa County coach Jon Meeks has been with the Lions football program for the last 10 years, previously coaching as an assistant before taking over the head coaching job this past fall. Since he’s been in Mineral, only one player has started every single game they could over a four year span. As an outstanding student and athlete, Andre Mealy got to weigh his options. After combing through a list that included Cornell, Richmond and Shepherd, the Lions senior has officialed signed a letter of intent to play for the Dukes in Harrisonburg.
“It was just a waiting game after football season,” Mealy said. “I was waiting to see how showed interest and wondering where I’d be playing football next season. When it all came down to it, JMU was the answer.”
This past season Mealy was the Lions workhorse on offense, earning first team All-Scrimmage Play and All-Jefferson District honors for his 1,713 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Mealy picked up another All-Scrimmage Play first team nod, in addition to making the second team All-Region II squad, but in both those occasions as a linebacker. That should serve him well as the Dukes view him as a strong option on both sides of the ball.
During the 2009 season, he had 56 tackles with 12 of those for a loss. 2010 was set to be Mealy’s breakout season at running back, but he was forced to sit out the majority of the season with an elbow injury occurring in the second week of the season. Despite being unable to take the field during the game, Mealy attended practices and meetings as though he was injured.
“We’re talking about someone with a 4.7 GPA, someone who’s never missed a pratice,” Meeks said. “When he was hurt two years ago he still came to every practice. He even came to the film sessions even though he had no obligation.”
For Meeks and the athletic department, watching Mealy excel as a student and also successfully return to his usual form for his senior season and wind up with an offer to play collegiate serves as a fine example for the school.
“He’s a really humble guy that truly leads by example,” Meeks said. “This could not have happened to a more deserving person. He’s one of the best we’ve had and that’s on and off the field. JMU is getting somebody special.”
When Mealy saw the campus in Harrisonburg in person, he was won over.
“The campus, the coaches, the facilities, the program, the academics — they have everything I need,” Mealy said. “It’s a big relief. I don’t have to worry about any of this anymore. Now I can just go out and work and head into camp.”
The Louisa standout joins a group of Central Virginia’s former elite, albeit from a rival school. Both Orange County’s Quintin Hunter and Amir Waller pay for the Dukes already. Blue Ridge alum Chad Byers also plays for JMU.
