Former North Village captain Kimandi Binns is to be inducted in the University of Maryland Eastern Shores Sports Hall of Fame this weekend ? the first ever Fighting Hawks footballer to receive the distinguished honour.

Binns, 31, graduated from Maryland in 1997 ? where he set points and scoring records in the NCAA Division One Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and became the first footballer ever to score a hat trick ? with a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in special education.

?I was extremely overjoyed when I found out the news,? said Binns, speaking from Maryland yesterday. ?I did not think I had a chance and I am so happy to know that I can leave a lasting impact in a positive manner.?

On the local front Binns made his Premier Division debut for Village in 1992 at age 17 where he played under coaches Kenny Thompson and Scott Morton and won successive league and FA Cup titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03.

The former Reds centre back was also a member of Village?s victorious 2003-04 Friendship Trophy squad that defeated Somerset Eagles 1-0 in a replay at the National Sports Centre after the first encounter was abandoned when armed thugs clashed openly on the pitch at Wellington Oval.

Binns continued: ?It may seem trivial to some, but I know there is a purpose for me being inducted and that is to witness for Christ because people do notice.

?I certainly give all praise to Jesus and without him none of this could happen. I hope he continues to bless me and also be a blessing to others. This achievement came from a high work ethic, having set goals to be the best at whatever I did and good upbringing.

?So this induction is not just for me but also for anyone that knows me who had a hand in helping to make me the person that I am today.?

In 1993 Binns was voted as Teen Sportsman of the Year and in 1995 was a member of Bermuda?s Pan American Games national football team that competed in Argentina. He has also represented Bermuda at the Under 15, 16, 17, 19, 23 and senior levels.

Binns, who won every major domestic cup title at the senior level and captained Village to FA Cup glory in 1999-00 over Devonshire Colts, accepted a football scholarship at University of Maryland in 1993, took up residence with wife Twynette and sons Zhane, Devin and Zoe in Salisbury, Maryland in 2004 and is currently teaching ninth and tenth graders at Mardela High School.

The former St.George?s and Pembroke resident also assists in coaching Mardela Warriors school football team.

?Now I hope that I can be a positive influence on young people which is why I became a teacher and a coach,? added Binns, who also taught locally at West Pembroke primary school.

Art Shell, current coach of NFL football team Oakland Raiders, will be the guest speaker at this weekend?s Hall of Fame Banquet to be held at the New Student Service Centre, Maryland where 12 athletes will be forever enshrined.

With Village on the verge of clinching a third league championship in five seasons, Binns has thrown his full support to his former colleagues at Bernard Park.

?I am very excited to see my team on the verge of winning another championship. Village has such a rich tradition that in many aspects it is expected from us,? he said.

As for the Red?s bid for the triple crown championship consisting of league, FA Cup and Friendship Trophy, Binns said: ?I know what it is like to be so close to winning the triple crown, all the build up and hype in the community and papers. The pressure is immense.?

Binns was a member of Village?s team that narrowly missed accomplishing the feat under coach Morton in 2002 when they were beaten by PHC Zebras in the Friendship final at the Sports Centre.

The former Reds player missed the final against Zebras after breaking his arm in the league title decider with Wolves.

?The pain was unbelievable because I scored the winning goal against Devonshire Colts in the semi-finals (Friendship) playing with ten men at the Den,? Binns recalled. ?I always ask myself if I would have played would we have won.?

Binns, son of Quinton and Marie, also offered a bit of advice for up and coming youngsters at Village.

?You must be willing to learn and do not think you know it all. Even as a veteran you can learn more,? he said. ?Never think you are better then the game because the game goes on even when you are finished. ?You must have a high work rate, want to be the best player that you can be and be willing to practice.?

Meanwhile, North Village Community Club president Shervin Dill paid homage to his first cousin and former team captain.

?Kimandi was a very instrumental part of the team during his time playing for us. He was a hard working, committed, disciplined and extremely talented player,? he said.

?He is a product of North Village Community Club, a good role model and we are extremely proud of his achievements. It was sad to see him leave the team. But obviously he has gone on to bigger and better things and we continue to wish him well in his future endeavours.?