WEST PALM BEACH – Conroy Cunningham has been done with high school since this past December.
Moving on from Palm Beach Lakes to Bethune-Cookman, the linebacker and Blue-Grey All-American looks to make a lasting impression on the college level in more ways than one.
Palm Beach Lakes head coach Al Shipman was instrumental in Cunningham’s final college decision, which he officially made on Jan. 19.
“At first it was all about securing a scholarship,” Cunningham said. “But after graduating early and having to make quick decisions, I really started to think about the environment I wanted to be in. Coach Shipman started talking to me about HBCU schools. BCU seemed like it could be an extension of my life once leaving home. The coaches and campus faculty treated me like family.”
Cunningham will be joined by former Lakes teammate and outgoing senior athlete Micah Butler at the HBCU institution.
“Me and Micah talked about how things were going since I started,” Cunningham said. “I told him how I was feeling, so I think he knew it would be a good place for him also.”
Cunningham (6-foot-4, 216 pounds) finished his high school senior year at Palm Beach Lakes with 123 tackles, 18 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. He ended this past year as our No. 1-ranked linebacker and No. 12 overall player in Palm Beach County.
Cunningham was also a Class 7A All-State First Team Defense selection, in addition to his Blue-Grey All-American honor.
With that said, Cunningham was looking forward to get a head start in the spring at Bethune-Cookman. But the current coronavirus pandemic had other plans, which set things back a bit for him.
“COVID-19 took away my spring season at BC, which was disappointing because I was hoping to make an early impact on the field and in my studies,” Cunningham said. “But I did finish this spring semester with a 3.62 GPA with my major in computer science.”
Cunningham’s college situation at Bethune-Cookman may include the possibility of either experiencing, witnessing, and/or just hearing our racial injustice. This is relevant because we are also currently dealing with a nationwide racial protest/riot situation, as millions of Americans have been directly or indirectly affected by last week’s police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn.
“I have mixed feelings about this,” Cunningham said. “It makes me nervous to be a young black man. I just keep hearing what my mom has said to me all my life about being scared for me if ever confronted by police. It’s not right that we should have to live or move differently than our white brothers. It’s all about accountability. Killing someone in uniform is no different than killing in plain clothes.”
Cunningham provided some advice for all of his fellow outgoing high school seniors who will most likely be off to college soon.
“For all the graduating seniors, I say to not be pushed into the hype of the school,” Cunningham said. “It’s has to be about what’s best for you. Focus on what success you want for your future and let that guide you. I did this for myself, and I’m now taking summer classes and looking to my future.”
