Every time they take the field this fall, members of the Averett College football team will be reminded both of the events of last September 11 and of their teammates' devotion to their country. They'll be reminded, not by what happens on the field but by who is not on the field with them.

Three members of the Cougars' football team have been called up to serve in Operation Noble Eagle as part of the United States' homeland defense.

Kelvin Hutcheson, Nathan Jones and Luke Clinesmith -- all starters for Averett -- are members of the Virginia Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 26th Artillery. All three played for the Cougars last year but learned this summer that their country would be in need of their military services.

"It's tough to lose good players for any reason, but it's an easier pill to swallow knowing the importance of the task those young men face in keeping America safe," said Averett head coach Mike Dunlevy. "The United States has three outstanding young men helping to ensure our freedom."

All three will train at Fort Dix, near Wrightstown, New Jersey, for three weeks before receiving their military assignments. Fort Dix is a U.S. Army Forces Command training, mobilization and deployment center.

While it's not known where Hutcheson, Jones and Clinesmith will be deployed, they may replace National Guard members who were called up shortly after 9-11. The trio likely will be gone for a year.

Hutcheson, a junior linebacker majoring in criminology, had been named team captain before learning he would be called away for the season. He was a first-team all-conference linebacker and led the nation in Division III last year with 15.9 tackles per outing. He was credited with 125 tackles -- 57 solo -- in eight games. He also led the team with five sacks and 15 tackles for loss.

"Hutch is the type of player that cannot be replaced," said teammate Les Garnett, an offensive lineman. "His leadership on and off the field will be missed."

Jones, also a junior, is majoring in physical education and wellness. He saw action last year as both a running back and as a linebacker, and he even served as Averett's punter for the final two games of the season.

Clinesmith, a sophomore, is a 6-1, 260-pound offensive lineman who was expected to play a major role on the line of scrimmage for the Cougars this season.

Richard Ferguson, a faculty member and sports psychologist at Averett who has taught Jones and Hutcheson, thinks all three young men will be better soldiers because of their experiences in intercollegiate athletics.

"Many people question the value of college athletics as an educational tool," Ferguson said. "However, the discipline developed through college football should benefit Nathan, Luke and Kelvin greatly in their roles as soldiers. Educational outcomes of athletics may only be assessed in real-world experiences like those facing those three student-athletes."

All three will return to Averett as soon as they can to complete their academic and athletics careers. In the meantime, the three Cougars will take their places, wherever that may be, as Eagles.

"Nathan, Luke and Kelvin are three very respected student-athletes at Averett," said Averett Athletics Director Vesa Hiltunen. "Not only do they give their all on the playing field each week, but they each have great attitudes and display good sportsmanship while competing. They are leaders here on the Averett campus, and I am sure that when their battalion needs someone to step up and give guidance, these three soldiers will assume leadership roles among that team as well."