Radford High School offensive lineman Andrew Olverson (seated center) has signed a letter of intent to play football in the fall at Averett University. Pictured with Olverson at his signing are (from left, seated) his father, Randy Olverson; his mother, Pam; and (back row) Radford football coach Matthew Saunders.
By Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Another standout football player from Radford High School has announced plans to continue his playing career in college. On Wednesday, Andrew Olverson signed a letter of intent in the school’s library in front of family, friends, coaches and teammates to attend Averett University in Danville.
The six-foot, 335-pound offensive lineman was all-Three Rivers District and all-county/all-city this past season. He chose Averett because it felt like home. “The coaching staff really welcomed me when I took a visit there,” Olverson said.
He chose Averett over Bridgewater, Emory & Henry, and Ferrum. His goal is to start as a freshman.
Averett University is a private Baptist college in Danville with an enrollment this past year of 990 students. Averett is coached by Clieve Adams, a Radford High School graduate.
In his first five seasons, Adams has helped turn Averett’s program around and has created a positive culture that promotes developing young men on and off the field.
In 2018, Adams guided the Cougars to the best record in program history. Averett went 8-2 overall while going 6-1 in the conference. A longtime Division III assistant, Adams came to Averett from Ferrum College, a fellow USA South Conference institution, where he served as the defensive coordinator from 2007-2013. Adams began his coaching career in 1998 as a student assistant at Ferrum, his alma mater.
Averett has another local connection in assistant coach Patrick Bolen, who coached the linebackers at Christiansburg High School from 2003-06.
Olverson plans to major in sports administration at Averett.