What's Going On In and Around Black College Sports
WRIGHT
GONE, TOO: Add the name of Elizabeth City State University head football
coach John Wright to the list of those let go following this season. The
school has announced that a national search is underway to fill the position Wright
occupied for the past three seasons. Wright, a 1971 Virginia Union graduate,
led the Vikings to a 2-8 finish this year, and a 5-24 mark during his tenure.
"Coach Wright's contributions to the ECSU football program will always be
appreciated," said Director of Athletic, Dr. Edward McLean in a press
release announcing the decision. "As we go forward, we plan to build on the
strengths of the football program athletically, while maintaining our successful
student-athlete graduation rate."
SWAC HALL INDUCTEES: The Southwestern Athletic Conference will honor ten individuals with induction to the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2002. There will be six inductees into the SWAC Hall of Fame and four inducted into the SWAC Old Timers Hall of Fame.
- The
2002 inductees to the SWAC Hall of Fame are;
- James Oliver - Alabama State University
- Dave Clark - Jackson State University
- Vincent Brown - Mississippi Valley State University
- Marion Henry - Prairie View A&M University
- Robert Taylor - Texas Southern University
- Cleophus Miller, Jr., - University of Arkansas
at Pine Bluff
The 2002 inductees to the SWAC Old Timers Hall of Fame are;
- Lawrence Ashley Collins - SWAC Administration
- Dr. Charles "C.D." Henry - SWAC Administration
- Collie Nicholson - Grambling State University
- Dr. Harrison B. Wilson - Jackson State
The Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Gala will take place Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. The event is held in conjunction with the Fourth Annual Alamerica Bank SWAC Championship Football game Saturday at Birmingham's historic Legion Field.
LEGENDS TO BE HONORED: The Southwestern Athletic Conference Alumni Association will honor Hall of Fame Coaches Eddie Robinson and Arnett W. "Ace" Mumford at its third annual reunion reception at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the A. G. Gaston Building, 1527 5th Ave North, Birmingham, Ala, in conjunction with the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Football Game. Robinson coached for 55 years at Grambling State and holds the record for most victories on the collegiate level with 408. His teams won 17 SWAC championships and nine Black College National championships. Robinson had a streak of 27 consecutive winning seasons from 1960-1986, and more than 200 of players went on to the NFL. Robinson's career record was 408-165-15. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame in 1997. Mumford, who died of a heart attack at age 64 in 1962, spent the final 10 years of his 35-year career at Southern University after stops at Bishop, Jarvis Christian and Texas College. Mumford won his first Black College National Championship at Texas Co llege in 1935. The next year he moved to Southern where he won five additional Black National Championships (1948, '49, '50, '54 and '60), 11 SWAC championships and produced 35 All-Americans. From 1948-50 Southern had a 38-game unbeaten streak. Mumford had an overall 233-85-23. He is the winningest coach in Southern's history with a 169-57-14 record. Mumford was inducted posthumously into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame in 2001. The SWAC Alumni Association was organized in 1999. Its mission is to preserve and promote the Southwestern Athletic Conference's legacy and tradition in all sports. All former coaches, players, athletic administrators, game officials, athletic trainers, sports information directors from SWAC member schools and conference personnel are eligible for membership.
© 2002 Azeez Communications, Inc.