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Rondell
Gilmore-Lane of Mickleton was a highly successful
student-athlete at Kingsway Regional High School. A 2010
graduate, he was a stand-out athlete in football, basketball,
and track and field. As quarterback, safety, and returner for
the football team, he garnered All-South Jersey honors and was
later named MVP of the Adam Taliaferro Classic, a game
reserved for the best players in the area.
As
a guard on the basketball team, he led the Dragons to three
straight South-Jersey championships, earning All-State honors
for his work on the court. In track, his team’s 3,200-meter
relay performance in the 2011 Meet of Champions was the fourth
fastest time in South Jersey history.
 Gilmore-Lane chose to concentrate solely in football at the
next level. “I chose football over basketball and track
because it was something that I was brought into. My family
was supportive of all of them, but we are more of a football
family.” His brother, Dorien Bryant, was a star wide receiver
and kick returner at Purdue University. He later signed a
professional contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was
unable to play.
Despite the accolades and awards, Gilmore-Lane was passed over
by most colleges during his senior year. The scholarship
offers that he received were from lower Division 2 schools.
After talking things over with his family, he knew that he was
capable of playing at a much higher level.
Like his
brother Dorien, he decided to push college back a year and
turned to Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA) in Virginia to
continue his education. “I chose Fork Union to have an
opportunity to receive more scholarship offers and show that I
was capable of being a D-1 prospect,” he noted.
FUMA has a
reputation for developing high-level college talent, having
produced two Heisman Trophy winners and 10 NFL first round
draft picks, and playing there gave him the opportunity to
show off his abilities to other schools who would not normally
recruit much in the South Jersey area.
Each year
the school sends over 30 athletes to Division I college
programs on athletic scholarships. By taking a post-graduate
year instead of heading to junior college, an athlete can hone
their skills and still save up their full four years of
collegiate eligibility.
When
people hear of a student going to military school, the
stereotypical response is to assume that the student has
academic deficits or discipline issues that need straightened
out. Gilmore-Lane had no such issues. In the classroom, he is
taking high-level classes such as English V and A.P.
Psychology.
“Life
outside of football is tough. Everything you do at FUMA is
scheduled. Cell phones and social networking are not allowed.
When I’m not in class or at football, I spend most of my days
working hard in the weight room, doing conditioning, and
relaxing with the other cadets. Being at FUMA has given me
the opportunity to improve not only athletically, but also in
qualities such as leadership and discipline.”
On the
football field, he contributed by playing numerous positions,
including wide receiver and safety. His coach also stressed
that Gilmore-Lane work to become more well-rounded by showing
off his talents on special teams as a return man and on
coverage units.
“The level
of competition is nothing compared to high school,” said
Gilmore-Lane. “Everything moves at a much faster pace.
Everything needs to be consistent in order for the team to be
successful. There’s no room for taking plays off and players
need to be on their grind every day to be successful.”
The hard
work is paying off, as Gilmore-Lane has seen his recruitment
for next year pick up. Many successful Division 1 schools
have visited or called to talk about his future plans for
college.
Gilmore
credits his family and friends for his success. “Having them
being there for me gives me the strength and ability to be
successful. I strive off their support both on the field and
off the field.”
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