McCain, Dent and Rice make College Hall
Three black college products were enshrined Saturday in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana. Former Maryland State head football coach Vernon "Skip McCain, former Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Jerry Rice and former Jackson State defensive back Kevin Dent were enshrined along with 17 others in the hall that reopened in 1995 near the campus of Notre Dame University.
The induction of Rice and Dent brings the number of black college players in the hall to 15. McCain is the seventh black college coach to be enshrined (See STAT CORNER).
The rather paltry number of players and coaches from the black college ranks is because the hall did not open to players from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II and III until 1996.
Former Florida A&M head coach, the late Alonzo "Jake" Gaither who was inducted in 1975, was the first player or coach from a black college to gain induction. Former Morgan State head coach Earl Banks was inducted in 1992 while former Jackson State and Tennessee State head coach John Merritt was inducted in 1994. Walter Payton of Jackson State, Buck Buchanan of Grambling State and Tyrone McGriff of Florida A&M were the first black college players inducted in 1996.
Vernon "Skip" McCain
Head Coach,
Maryland State, 1948-63;
Langston University grad
Died in 1993.
McCain led his teams to four Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and never recorded a single losing season in 16 years at the helm. With a career record of 102-21-5, he is one of only 28 coaches to have a winning percentage greater than .800 among those who have coached at least nine seasons. McCain led Maryland State to three undefeated seasons and seven seasons of seven wins or more.
While concentrating on his football duties, he directed the basketball team to a record of 76 wins and 11 losses from 1948 to 1952. Among his pupils was Johnny Sample, the first black college player to play in the prestigious College Football All-Star Game. For all of his accomplishments, he has been named to the UMES and Langston University Halls of Fame.
Kevin Dent
Defensive back
Jackson State, 1985-88
Dent posted 21 career interceptions as the leader of a defense that helped the Tigers win three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and post a 27-1 conference record. A fierce defensive talent, Dent is the first defensive player and third overall in school history to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining legends Walter Payton and Willie Richardson.
A constant interception threat, Dent is the school's only three-time first team all-America selection (1986-88). A three-time Sheridan Black College National Defensive Player of the Year, he led the nation in interceptions in 1986 and currently ranks among the Top 25 in NCAA Division I-AA history with 21 career picks. A two-time Mississippi Sports Writers All-Mississippi Team selection, Dent currently ranks fourth all-time at Jackson State in single-season interceptions (11 in 1988). A community minded individual, he continues to reside in Jackson, Mississippi.
Jerry Rice
Wide Receiver
Miss. Valley St., 1981-84
Rice set numerous Division I-AA records, including single-season receptions (103) and receiving yards (1,450) and the single-season touchdown mark (27) that still stands. He set school records with 310 career receptions, 4,856 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns. Caught an NCAA record 24 passes against Southern in 1983. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers in football history on any level, Rice will join his college teammate, QB Willie Totten as both ends of the famed Delta Devil "Satellite Express" will now be members of the College Football Hall of Fame.
A two-time first team all-America selection, Rice finished ninth in the 1984 Heisman Trophy voting. A three-time first team all-Conference pick, Rice was named the 1984 SWAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year for the State of Mississippi.
Drafted in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Rice became arguably the greatest player in NFL history. In 20 seasons, he was named to the Pro Bowl 13 times, won three Super Bowls and broke virtually every receiving record. His NFL totals exceed 1,500 receptions, 22,000 receiving yards and 200 touchdowns.
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