JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State University is mourning the passing of Dr. Harrison Wilson Jr., who coached the JSU men's basketball team from 1951-1960 and served as the chairman of the JSU Department of Health and Physical Education from 1960-1967.
 
"Jackson State University offers its sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Harrison Wilson Jr.," said JSU Vice President & Director of Athletics, Ashley Robinson. "Dr. Wilson played a very important role in establishing Jackson State basketball and laid its foundation. We will keep the Wilson family in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time."
 
For 22 years, Dr. Wilson served as President of Norfolk State University.
 
In 1975-76 NSU offered 4 graduate programs in which 191 students were enrolled. In 1996-97, there were 14 master's programs and one doctoral program enrolling 1,110 students. The Division of Academic Affairs was composed of nine schools, 29 departments, and offering 56 programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels. During Wilson's tenure, The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) produced the largest number of minority naval officers in the nation, second only to the U.S. Naval Academy; NSU graduated more African-American teachers than any other university in the nation.