A physically imposing and hard-hitting defensive lineman from John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, Perkins played all four years for the Cavaliers and graduated with a degree in Sociology in 1988. After leaving Grounds, Perkins spent the next few years chasing quarterbacks and ball carriers as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.

Following his playing career, Perkins shifted to education, where he’s been a high school administrator for the past 33 years. His career started at Canyon State Academy where he specialized in working with troubled youth, and continued through his graduate studies at Ottawa University before settling down in the greater Phoenix public schools. Perkins has spent the past eight years as an assistant principal at Tolleson Union High School where he oversees 3,100 students.

The school’s principal had this to say: “Dr. Perkins connects with students on a different level. I have worked with many admins in my career. He is by far the best I’ve seen at interacting with students.”