B-CU Mourns Loss of Former GridIron Standout

Dennis Daniels (l) and Lynn W. Thompson (r)
Courtesy Bethune-Cookman Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Dennis Daniels, a former Bethune-Cookman College football standout, died on Monday, Feb. 10. He was 52.

A native of Volusia County, Daniels played four seasons with the Wildcats, serving as a kicker from 1979-82. He replaced former kicker and current Bethune-Cookman University Director of Athletics, Lynn W. Thompson, in his placekicking duties. Daniels was a graduate of Seabreeze High School in Ormond Beach, before arriving at B-CC in the fall of 1979.

“Dennis and I used to work out back in our college days, and he succeeded me as a player at Bethune-Cookman,” stated Thompson upon hearing of Daniels’ death. “His contributions to this university will never be forgotten.”

During his playing days for the Wildcats, Daniels earned league honors from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in 1983 on the first team offense. He would be the first Bethune-Cookman kicker ever to receive all-conference recognition.

In the history of the MEAC, Daniels is one of just two kickers to receive first team all-conference honors as a member of the Bethune-Cookman program, joined by Manny Manolas in 1985.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church at 3 p.m. The church is located at 635 Madison Avenue in Daytona Beach, with Pastor Evans Smith officiating.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS