| |
W.C. Gorden and Doug Porter to be inducted into College Football HOF
May 8, 2008
Former Jackson State coach W.C. Gorden and former Mississippi Valley, Howard and Fort Valley mentor Doug Porter are HBCU products included in this year's Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class. The Class considers players and coaches from NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) for induction. Four players and two coaches were selected for induction this year.
2008 DIVISIONAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
PLAYERS
• Jim Ballard – QB, Mount Union (Ohio) (1991-93)
• Ronald McKinnon – LB, North Alabama (1992-95)
• John Randle – DE, Texas A&M-Kingsville (1988-89)
• Brad Rowland – HB, McMurry College (Texas) (1947-50)
COACHES
• W.C. Gorden – Jackson State (1976-91): 119-47-5
• Doug Porter – Mississippi Valley State (1961-65), Howard (1974-78), Fort Valley State (1979-85, 1987-96): 166-107-5
JSU Photo
 |
| Gorden |
FVSU Photo
 |
| Porter |
“The NFF prides itself on honoring the best in college football history,” stated Archie Manning, who is the chairman. “This year’s divisional class is no exception, and it’s our duty to reward them for their outstanding accomplishments on the gridiron, earning them a spot among the greatest to ever play or coach our sport.”
Gorden was the most successful football coach in Jackson State history over a 15-year span from 1976 to 1991 before moving on to become athletic director in 1992..
"We have a legacy and a tradition," said Gorden in an 1994 interview with The Sporting News about the success of Jackson State football. "The fans never deserted Jackson State when the other schools integrated. Maybe a son or a nephew or a cousin chose to go to a Division I-A school to play football, but the parents and relatives always maintained their allegiances to Jackson State and continued to attend our games. And now we're seeing that in the next generation, they're saying my cousin or brother made a mistake by going to that Division I-A program and they're coming back to their roots and Jackson State. We don't get as many superstars as we used to, but we get good football players."
During Porter’s tenure as head coach (1979-85, 1987-96) the Wildcats amassed a record of 112-66-3, won six Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football titles and earned two trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs. He (Porter) was also named as the SIAC Coach of the Year seven times and led Fort Valley to its highest ranking ever (#2 in Division II) during the 1985 season. In addition to his coaching duties, Porter also served as FVSU’s director of athletics for 16 years, acted as chairman of the Division II Football Committee and was president of the National Athletic Steering Committee. “Doug” also coached several former Wildcats who went on to have successful careers in professional football; among them were Greg Lloyd, Darryl Holmes, Eddie Anderson, Jimmie Reed and Tyrone Poole.
“I am very grateful to all of the coaches and players that helped me receive this honor, because without them this could not have happened”, stated Porter. “I also want to thank all of the various administrations that have been supportive of our athletic program.” Porter, a native of Memphis, Tenn., began his head coaching career at Mississippi Valley State in 1961 where he turned that program around. He then moved on to Grambling State University where he served as an assistant coach under Eddie Robinson for nine seasons. Porter also coached at Howard University from 1974-78.
The 2008 Class will be inducted into the Hall during the Enshrinement Festival, July 18-19, in South Bend, Ind.
|
