THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 20, 1995 TAG: 9501190154
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
EVEN DURING HIS formative years as an athlete, D.J. Dozier knew he had a special calling.
As a standout football and baseball player at Kempsville, he knew. As one of the nation's top collegiate running backs at Penn State, he knew.
And during his years with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, there was never any doubt what the future would bring.
But even after struggling with his desires in football and a short stint with professional baseball, he didn't think the Lord would call so soon.
``The Lord just . . . told me to put down the cleats,'' said Dozier, who at 29 is in his first year as athletic director at Rock Church's Rock Academy. ``He told me it was time to train for the ministry. It kind of hit me after the 1993 baseball season, when I was trying to work out to play winter ball.''
At Minnesota, Dozier was never really happy with the type of offense or his playing time. He asked for a better contract, and he asked to be traded. He got neither until his fourth season, when he was traded to Detroit. After playing behind Herschel Walker at Minnesota, he was now behind Barry Sanders.
``And he's the greatest, I think,'' Dozier said. ``It was a good opportunity for me to play with who I think might be the greatest ever, but it still wasn't a great situation for me. I wanted to play.''
So Dozier gave up football and made a play for baseball, signing with the New York Mets and playing for a while with the then Tidewater Tides. He was called up to ``The Show'' for 52 days.
``I was ready to meet the challenge and keep trying with baseball, but that wasn't to be my calling at the time,'' he said. ``I put down the cleats without fuss.
``Actually, this job is very challenging for me. It's a lot of work and I think it might be good training for the ministry. I someday want to be an evangelist or pastor. Basically, I want to spend my time preaching and teaching the word.''
Earlier this week, with professional baseball owners looking for players to fill in for the regulars this coming season, Dozier got his test.
Representatives from the Dodgers, Giants and Indians called seeking his services.
``I didn't even have to think about it,'' Dozier said. ``I turned them down. I feel like I am making an impact here and, right now, this is what the Lord wants me to be doing.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
``The Lord just . . . told me to put down the cleats,'' said D.J.
Dozier, the Rock Academy's new athletic director.
by CNB