Southern Wayne senior Malachi Bass signs a national letter-of-intent Wednesday morning to play football next fall at Elizabeth City State University. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Members of the Southern Wayne football team surround teammate Malachi Bass, who signed a national letter-of-intent to play at Elizabeth City State University next fall. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Members of the Southern Wayne outdoor track team surroung teammate Malachi Bass, who signed a national letter-of-intent to play at Elizabeth City State University next fall. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne senior Malachi Bass tries on an Elizabeth City State University jacket after signing with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association school Wednesday morning. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Malachi Bass wiped away tears as new Southern Wayne head coach football coach Matt Hine showered him with compliments before family and friends Wednesday morning.
A long-awaited birthday present was on the table in front of him.
Bass grabbed a penas his mom, Zulema Bass, leaned in close to watch as he signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his gridiron career at Elizabeth City State University.
“A great fit for him,” Hine said. “Academically, it’s a great opportunity for him to go play football at the next level, which since July has been front and center in his mind, and at the top of his list.
“He’s going to be so adaptable and easy to fit in on that campus.”
Bass’ versatility is his biggest asset.
So is his passion.
When the two met after Hine took over the program, Bass’ desire to play college football increased twofold on the practice field. He realized he could “go somewhere with it” — not only to represent the school, but his “brothers, too” — the football team.
“I wanted to make [my senior] season a positive season and make it the best for everybody so we could turn it around,” the soft-spoken Bass said. “I feel like I’m a leader, not so much vocal, but someone who can show you how to do things right and do the best things you can.”
The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder played mostly linebacker last fall and shuffled over to defensive end on occasion.
A three-year varsity performer, Bass anticipates playing outside linebacker and dropping back into coverage at strong safety in the Vikings’ backfield.
Bass joins a program that had six graduate students and 16 seniors in 2022, according to its current online roster. ECSU is expected to return numerous underclassmen who look to improve on last year’s 2-8 campaign.
The Vikings’ last winning season occurred in 2015. They played in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship on three occasions from 2008-2012.
ECSU reached the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2011.
“He’s been fully vested in football,” said Hine, who added that Bass is an outstanding academic student. “Potential, I hate to use that word, but I think he hasn’t come anywhere close to meeting the ceiling yet. He’s got a lot of abilities still to progress and get better at football.”
Football isn’t the only reason Bass selected ECSU.
He plans to study criminal justice, which could turn into political science. His goal is to become an activist for minorities and help their communities.
“From where I live and seeing a lot of things that happen to minorities, reading lots of books and seeing the news, I want to help minority communities,” Bass said. “I want to make it equal or a little bit better just for everyone because I know everybody is going through stuff. At least try to make life a little better than it is now.”
