Twelve years ago, Sherard Bunkley said he and others wanted to do something to support athletes at Clark Atlanta University who worked hard each day on the field and in the classroom.
 
Bunkley, a 2002 CAU graduate and a former running back on the football team, and other former CAU athletes figured a homecoming meal for athletes and coaches would be a great way to show their appreciation.
 
"It started out just for homecoming," said Sherard, now a local business owner. "We said we'd do some steaks, potatoes, some vegetables for homecoming. We hired some chefs.  We started from there and it just got bigger."
 
The group has evolved into the Clark Atlanta University Players Association, a group of CAU alumni athletes and supporters who look to honor an athletic department that did so much for them when they were student-athletes.
 
"It's more or less for the love of the school and our love of athletics," said Bunkley, president of the Association.  "Student-athletes are getting out there and playing hard, the cheerleaders are cheering whether we win, lose or draw.  So mainly we want to be a support system.  We just want to let everyone know that we appreciate them, we support them and we're behind them."
 
With most of them being former athletes, they know first-hand the daily sacrifice it takes to endure early morning practices, weight training and classroom work for current student-athletes.  The Players Association has been there to offer advice or an encouraging word for those who find some days to be extra tough.
 
"For some that might be struggling, we may pull them to the side and say 'Hey, just fight through. It's going to be okay.  Don't worry about it,' or 'What's your major? Let's talk about what you plan to do after graduation,'" Bunkley said.  "We want to be there through motivating and mentoring."  
 
"It's always good when former student-athletes connect with current student-athletes as models and mentors," added CAU Athletic Director J Lin Dawson.
 
The group hopes to soon offer book scholarships and to endow a scholarship in the name of beloved alumnus, former multi-sport student-athlete and coach Curtis Crockett, who died in 2003. Crockett, who wore No. 64 as an offensive lineman and had NFL tryouts, deeply influenced the lives of many members of the Association and the CAU community in general.
 
But one of their most visible contributions continues to be one of the tastiest.  After each home football game, the group serves a postgame meal to players, coaches, cheerleaders and band members. 
 
A few days before games, the group decides on what that week's meal will consist of.  They then hire a professional chef to prepare the meal that they underwrite themselves.  The huge grill at the far end of the stadium on game days is where the meal readied before it is served after the final horn.
 
"It's all about supporting them and Clark Atlanta University," Bunkley said.  "The 'thank you' we get from the players and the smiles on their faces, that's what makes it worth it.  And the relationships that we're building so when they graduate, they can join us, and it becomes a chain reaction."

The board members of the Clark Atlanta University Players Association are:
 
President-Sherard Bunkley, class of 2002 
Vice President-Daron Walters, class of 2003 
Treasurer-Rina Bradley, class of 2004 
Financial Secretary-Kavien Hillmon, class of 2005
Sergeant at Arms-Mark Arnold, class of 2002
Correspondence Secretary-Sidney Lindsey, class of 2003
Recording Secretary-Lakechia Moss, class of 2004
Special Advisor to the Board-Kareem Bacon, class of 2005)