Sept. 12, 2000
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Lafayette senior Elijah Beamon is known to cause quite a commotion on the field. Last season the cornerback from Middletown, N.Y., led the Patriot League in interceptions with six and pass breakups with 25. He earned second-team All-Patriot league honors, was named the defensive back MVP by the Leopards' coaching staff and also averaged 24.0 yards on kickoff returns.
Yet the 6-2 Beamon, who goes by his middle name, Jeremy, isn't known to talk much about his accomplishments. Or about anything else, for that matter.
Many of the coaches think he's either shy or just doesn't have much to say.
Although according to Beamon, that's not the case. He describes himself as an introvert who was always taught that he should let his playing do the talking. He was taught to lead by example, rather than attitude and to rely on the support of his family. It seems to have paid off.
"My parents never let me grow up to idolize professional athletes the way a lot of kids do today," Beamon said. "I was taught that just because someone's an athlete doesn't make him any more of a person than anyone else and doesn't give him the right to preach to other people. I grew up with my parents as my heroes. I listen to their advice."
Beamon came to Lafayette from Middletown High School as a four-year letterwinner in football and basketball. He was the starting quarterback and safety, earning All-County honors at both positions and All-State at free safety. After meeting with the coaching staff on College Hill, he was switched to cornerback and has flourished at the position.
"He is an extremely intelligent person, as a football player and a student," said Lafayette's special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach Mark Reardon. "He has a tremendous understanding of the game that allows him to position himself perfectly against almost any offense."
Beamon earned a varsity letter his first season, playing primarily on special teams and recording five tackles in three games. His sophomore year was his break-out campaign, earning All-Patriot League honors by finishing fourth in the League in interceptions per game (0.30 avg) and second in kickoff return yardage (21.11 per return). He returned four kickoffs for 91 yards at Colgate in a League matchup and recorded six tackles against non-conference Fordham.
Last season was the best yet for Beamon. After coming back from a stress fracture in his right foot suffered at the end of his sophomore season, he recorded a career-high 11 tackles versus Princeton, had two interceptions and four pass breakups against Fordham and notched 46 total tackles on the season, seventh on the squad.
His stellar junior campaign reinforced his tremendous ability and was reflected in his League honors, but it ended on a scary note for Beamon and the Lafayette coaching staff. He missed most of the last game of the season against Lehigh after spraining an ankle early on. The corner was already playing with a broken wrist suffered in the game a week before against Duquense.
"It was hard to just stand there on the sideline and not be able to help my team," he said. "Especially in such a huge rivalry like that. It will be different this year when we play them (Lehigh) but I'm not looking there yet."
Beamon is careful to keep the season in perspective, even before the kick-off of the first game. The senior, majoring in economics and business with a minor in African studies, is more focused on the team's compatibility than earning any personal accolades.
"I have been very impressed with the freshman class, with the new additions to the coaching staff and with the strong senior core of the team," said Beamon. "Our senior group is very close and we all plan on making this season our best."
He described the preseason camp as a gelling process for the team and the coaches to learn how each person sees his place on the team. According to the defensive backs coach, Beamon is the cornerstone of the defense this season and an intregal component of the team.
"Based on his off-season training and what he has done in his past three seasons, I believe he is the best corner in the Patriot League," said Reardon. "His priorities are in order, he knows what he has to do to be successful and there are no limits as to what he can accomplish."
Head Coach Frank Tavani was impressed with what he saw in the defensive back from the start of training camp, commenting, "He has been like velcro on our receivers in the preseason. He is our best one-on-one coverage guy and one of the best all-around athletes on the team."
The hopes of the team for the season run high but no one is looking beyond Towson or taking them lightly. Especially not Beamon. His goals reflect those of the whole team. Simply put "...to win. To beat Towson and just keep winning after that. We want that Patriot League Championship but we are only focused on the game in front of us for now."
Making the Towson game especially important to Beamon will be an empty seat in the stands with the rest of his family. A seat where his grandfather used to watch him play and offer him support from the sidelines. Beamon lost his grandfather a week and a half ago and the memory of his presence in the crowd will be fueling the fire within.
"My grandfather and I spoke for the last time right before he passed away," Beamon said in a barely audible voice. "The last thing he said to me was `tomorrow is never promised so live every day like it's your last.' So that's how I'm looking at this Towson game. I'm going to play it as if it were my last and I plan on making it something to remember."
Enough said.
