King’s Fork graduate Michael Mason will be the first Suffolk high school football player to be a part of Old Dominion’s reemergence into college football.

Mason, a defensive back and wide receiver during his career for the Bulldogs, signed a partial scholarship offer from the Monarchs on Thursday and is “extremely excited” and “just joyful” to be joining ODU with practices starting in just over a week.

As a four-year varsity player for King’s Fork, which is entering its sixth year of football this coming school year, Mason sees the similarity between the two programs. Mason is cherishing the chance to play a big role in the special situation.

“I can start over and do something a little bit different. With it being a new program, it’s kind of like when I started with King’s Fork. Because of that, I feel at home,” said Mason.

“It’s extremely exciting. I just can’t wait to be starting with a new program. It’s going to be amazing.”

Earlier during his senior year, Mason accepted an offer to be a walk-on at Liberty. He was waiting and hoping all along though to see if a scholarship offer would come from ODU.

“It was a smooth process. There really wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I just waited and prayed about it and it came through.”

Old Dominion opens practice on Aug. 10 and Mason said the Monarch coaches see him as a cornerback or safety. While a Bulldog, Mason was also a wide receiver and returner on special teams.

“Anything that can get me on the field, that’s what I’m willing to take on,” said Mason. The clean slate of a brand-new team is an appealing prospect for Mason.

“From what the coaches say, there are no positions set yet. Everyone’s got a free shot at the depth chart and getting on the field. That really drew me, too,” said Mason.

There are other pieces which fit perfectly in place for Mason as well. Mainly, going to school and playing football about a half-hour from home is ideal.

“It just feels good. My parents will be able to come see me play.”

While a new program, or to be exact, a program which is starting over after an offseason dating back to 1940 , ODU is starting out with a lot of support and great facilities. Foreman Field will have a capacity of 19,782 fans when the Monarchs start the season on Sept. 5 against Chowan. As of April, counting about 12,500 season tickets, 4,000 seats for ODU students and 2,000 tickets for visiting fans or reserved by ODU, sellouts for all seven home games in 2009 seem to be a sure thing.

“There’s a lot going on and you can tell they really support their teams. The basketball program is always very good and I’m sure they’re going to treat football the same way. The facilities are beautiful. They are all either new or newly-renovated.

“I just can’t wait for the first time we come onto the field and hear the crowd go crazy.

“We’ll be building traditions as we go,” said Mason.