MURFREESBORO, NC- The Chowan University football team and head coach Tim Place have announced the addition of Montario Hardesty to their staff for the 2014 season.  Hardesty joins the Hawks through the NFL Players Association internship program.  He will work as an intern for the team through the month of November. 
 
Coach Place noted, "As it was in 2011 (Fontel Mines), it's an honor to be selected by the NFLPA to host a coaching intern.  Montario Hardesty was an outstanding high school athlete…had a tremendous college career at the University of Tennessee and was a second round pick of the Cleveland Browns.  All associated with the Hawks football staff look forwarded to Montario joining the staff and bringing a new element to it."
 
The New Bern, NC native was a three-year letter winner at Tennessee.  He amassed 2,391 rushing yards on 560 carries, 405 receiving yards with 38 receptions and scored 27 touchdowns over the course of his career. During his senior year, Hardesty totaled 1,345 rushing yards which ranked 4^th in the SEC and fourth-best in Tennessee history. 
 
 After competing for the Volunteers from 2005-2009, Hardesty was a second round draft choice by the Cleveland Browns in 2010.  Although expected to compete for a starting position, injury sidelined him for the year.
 
Hardesty played in a total of 23 games for the Browns during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  He compiled 537 rushing yards, 138 receiving yards, and scored one touchdown during his two-year career in Cleveland.