A stellar class of leaders are set to enshrined as legends as 23 greats will be inducted into the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame Friday, September 23 at 6 p.m. at the Walter Payton Center.
Friday's induction ceremony includes the classes of 2020 and 2021, who will enter the hallowed grounds of the JSU Sports Hall of Fame.
Class of 2020
Paul Cooper Baseball
Paul Cooper, a native of Kennedy, Alabama, was an outfielder for the Tigers from 1973-77. He played for head coach Robert "Bob" Braddy. In 1977, Cooper helped lead the Tigers to a 42-16 record and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (10-4) championship. He batted .278 with 31 RBIs. His best year at the plate was 1976 when he posted a batting average of .458 with 22 RBIs. Cooper was drafted in the ninth round by the Houston Astros in 1977.
Clinton "Trey" Johnson Men's Basketball
Clinton "Trey" Johnson was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He is the son of 2005 JSU Hall of Fame Inductee Clint Johnson Jr, SWAC champion pitcher (1974-78), and Dr. Phyllis Johnson, a 1989 JSU graduate. Trey enrolled at JSU in 2004, where he played his final two collegiate years. He finished tenth in the nation in scoring during his junior season averaging 23.5 points per game and 27.1 points per game as a senior. Trey also led JSU to twenty-one wins and the SWAC Tournament, earning Tournament MVP honors and was named the 2007 SWAC Player of the Year. He went on to play for almost ten years throughout the world and in the U.S., including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and the New Orleans Hornets. Trey was a member of the 2011 Lakers' playoff team as well.
Derek McClanahan Football
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, McClanahan was a cornerback for the JSU Tigers from 1979-82. A graduate of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, McClanahan was a fast, quick defensive back who was an explosive tackler. He made 27 tackles in 1981 and intercepted one pass. In 1982, he made 33 tackles and intercepted two passes. He was named to the All SWAC team in 1979. In 1985, he played professionally with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.
Paul McJulien Football
Paul McJulien, a native of Baker, Louisiana, was an outstanding kicker for the Tigers from 1983-87. McJulien handled all the kicking chores during his tenure at JSU. He is the first Jackson State punter to kick in the NFL. In 1985, McJulien punted 66 times for 2,599 yards for an average of 39.4 yards per punt. He was good on 24 of 31 extra-point kicks and he scored one two-point conversion on a run. He was named to the All SWAC team. McJulien played three seasons in the NFL, two for the Green Bay Packers (1991 and 1992) and one for the Los Angeles Rams (1993). In the NFL, he punted 143 times for 5,654 yards for an average of 39.5 yards per kick.
Carolyn Mitchell-Wilson Women's Basketball
Carolyn Mitchell was one of the most physical players to ever play for the Lady Tigers. She was a tough, aggressive defensive player who, despite her size, often guarded much larger players. During her tenure on the Lady Tigers basketball team from 1980-84, JSU registered winning seasons every year, and Mitchell led the team in steals during the 1981-82 season.
Ricky Patton Football
Ricky Patton was one of a bevy of outstanding running backs to come through Jackson State during the decade of the 1970s, many of them went on to play in the NFL. A native of Flint, Michigan, Patton played for the Tigers for three seasons, 1975, 1976 and 1977. He rushed for 1,853 yards on 362 carries and scored 11 touchdowns. His best year was 1975 when he led the SWAC in rushing with 800 yards and three touchdowns, when he was named All-SWAC and All-American. He played five seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers. He started in Super Bowl XVI for the 49ers.
Andrew Pennington Coach
Andrew Pennington, a native of Hollandale, Mississippi, served as the Lady Tigers basketball from 1989 to 2001. His career record as head coach of the Lady Tigers is 171-162. He guided the team to several SWAC regular season and tournament championships. He was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 1994-95 and 1995-96. He served as the assistant women's basketball coach under coach Sadie Magee from 1987 to 1989. A graduate of Tougaloo College, he served as the Bulldogs women's basketball coach and director of athletics from 1974 to 1987.
Richard Porter Contributor (deceased)
Richard was a highly respected and successful entrepreneur in the insurance business. He was a spiritual-minded person who volunteered for any worthwhile cause. He gave to the Boys Club, Girl Scouts, and community projects of any sort. A native of Terry, Mississippi, Porter graduated from Jackson State University in 1970. He was the founder and owner of Porter's Insurance, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi. He loved Jackson State University and was a staunch and generous supporter of Tiger athletics. He was once described as one of the truest supporters of JSU athletics, not just a supporter by mouth but in deeds. He was a giant in the civic community, a leader on the usher board at New Hope Baptist Church and a leader in the Blue Bengal Athletic Association. Porter passed in 2005.
Roosevelt Reynolds Jr. Track and Field (deceased)
Roosevelt Reynolds Jr. was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a three-year letter winner in track and field at Jackson State University. Roosevelt was a high school All-American in track and field and a two-time Louisiana High School Athletic Association Champion in the long jump and triple jump when he committed to Jackson State University for indoor and outdoor track and field. During his tenure as a Flying JSU Tiger, Roosevelt received All SWAC Honors and All NAIA Honors in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Roosevelt's long and triple jump rankings contributed to the JSU Men's Track and Field Team winning the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Championship in 1975, 1976, and 1977.
Gloster Richardson Football (deceased)
Gloster Richardson was one of six Richardson brothers to play football at Jackson State University and four of them went on to play in the NFL. Gloster was a wide receiver for the Tigers from 1960 to 1965, twice earning All-SWAC honors. At the end of his college career, he was drafted in the seventh round of the AFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. His most productive year for the Chiefs was 1968 when he had 22 receptions for 494 yards and five touchdowns. He was a part of the Chiefs' 1970 Super Bowl IV championship.
Mark Rowe Track and Field
Mark Rowe, a native of Byhalia, Mississippi, was an outstanding sprinter for the Tigers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He competed indoors and outdoors in the middle distances from the 400 meters to the 800. He won several SWAC events and national events in those distances. In 1983, he set an indoor record in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1:01.6.
Jimmy Smith, Jr. Football
Jimmy Smith, Jr., a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and a graduate of Callaway High School was a phenomenal wide receiver both at JSU and in the NFL. He put up mind-boggling numbers at the collegiate and pro levels. As a junior at JSU, he registered 40 receptions for 877 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Southern University, he had four catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns (70, 64, and 37 yards). His final year, he led the team with 43 catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns. He finished his college career with 110 receptions for 2,073 yards and 16 touchdowns. Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft. Smith signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. In 2006, when he retired, he was seventh in NFL history with 862 catches and 11th in league history with 12,287 yards, along with 67 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl five consecutive times (1997-2001).
Jackie Walker Football
Jackie Walker was a dual sports letterman at Jackson State, playing both football and basketball during his career (1981-85). A native of Monroe, Louisiana, he didn't start playing football until his senior year at Carroll High School. He was the starting power forward on the Tigers' basketball team for two years. During his senior year, Walker led the football team in total tackles with 131 along with 12 pass break-ups and one quarterback sack. He was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American. He also led the Tiger basketball team in rebounding. Walker had 345 total tackles, six fumble recoveries, 22 pass break ups and 13 sacks during his career. Walker was drafted in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the first player chosen in the second round). He later played for the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Rockers, Miami Hooters, and Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League.
Class of 2021
Otis Brown Football
A native of Bastrop, Louisiana, Otis Brown was a four-year letterman at running back on the Tigers' football team from 1979-83. During his career, he rushed for 1,390 yards and 10 touchdowns. After four years at JSU, Brown was drafted in the 9th round by the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL and the 28th round by the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League. When his football career ended, he moved back to St. Louis and united with Transformation Christian Church and World Outreach Center. He was licensed and ordained as a minister.
Willie Collins Football
Willie Collins was an outstanding offensive guard on the Jackson State football team from 1972-76. He blocked for Walter Payton (NFL Hall of famer), Ricky Young, and Rodney Phillips, who all played in the NFL. He played on the offensive line along with Jackie Slater (NFL Hall of Famer) and Louis Bullard who also played in the NFL. Collins was quick and fast and a fierce blocker. When his playing career ended, Collins gained fame as the head football coach at Jackson's Provine High School. He spent over 20 years as Provine's head coach and compiled a 167-98 career record. He guided the Rams to state championship games and class 5A finishes in 1994 and 1999. Collins has been inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Hall of Fame.
Carmen Jackson Track and Field
Carmen Thomas Jackson, a native of Miami, Florida, was a sprinter for the Lady Tigers from 1975-79. During her career at JSU, she set or was a part of several records. She was co-holder of the SWAC 60-yard dash record. She was a member of the sprint medley relay team that set a world record in the Sprint Medley Relay in the Mason Dixon Games in Louisville, Kentucky in 1978. The relay team clocked a time of 4:11.5. After graduating from JSU, she began coaching high school track and field in 1980. In 1991, she became head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Her teams have won 13 state titles, 17 regional titles, 26 district titles and 19 GMAC District titles. She has received numerous Coach of the Year honors, including being named National Coach of The Year in 2015 by the National High School Coaches Association.
Genina Johnson Basketball
Genina Johnson, better known as GG, is a four-year letter winner for the JSU women's basketball program. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, and a graduate of Lanier High School, Johnson was a prolific scorer as well as an outstanding defensive player. She is a member of the Lady Tigers' 1,000-point club and she ranks in the top ten in the JSU record books in blocked shots, free throw percentage, and three-point field goals made. She helped the Lady Tigers win the 2003 SWAC regular season championship. She was selected to the Black Voices All-Academic Team, Black College All-Star Classic and she was an All-SWAC performer. After graduating from JSU, she played professionally for a stint overseas in the Netherlands. Her uncle, Jessie Jones, a former JSU baseball player, is in the Jackson State Sports Hall of Fame.
James McBride Baseball (deceased)
James McBride, a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, played baseball for the Tigers from 1974 to 1978. At Blair High School in Hattiesburg, he starred in baseball, football, and track and field. He was the ace on the Tiger staff during his last two years at JSU. He helped lead the team to three consecutive SWAC championships from 1975 to 1978. He led the team in victories in 1977 with a 10-2 record and strikeouts with 103 with a 2.25 ERA. In 1978, he was drafted in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Dave Melton Track and Field
Dave Melton, Sr, was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Robert E. Lee High School where he was awarded multiple accolades in track and field, earning him a scholarship to Jackson State University in 1977. At JSU, Melton competed in the 800 meters, 1500 meters, steeplechase, and cross-country events. He was a part of several JSU NAIA Track and Field National Championships. He garnered All-American honors while at JSU. He is a member of the JSU Association of Alumni Athletes. Presently, he is the owner of Melton's School of Martial Arts, LLC in Jackson since 1984. He also served as a motor coach operator for Jackson's Jatran for 34 years.
Carl Roberts Football
Carl "Big C" Roberts is a native of Starkville, Mississippi, and a 1979 graduate of B. L. Moor High School. He was an outstanding offensive lineman for the Tigers from 1979 to 1983. He was a three-year starter, and he was one of the team captains during his junior and senior seasons. He helped lead the Tigers to three consecutive SWAC championships. In 1984 and 1985, he played professionally for the USFL Oklahoma Outlaws and San Antonio Gunslingers. He returned to JSU in 1985 as a volunteer and part-time assistant football coach. He became a full-time offensive line coach in 1987, a position he held for 16 years. Roberts Assistant coaching career includes stints at Grambling State University (2004-07) and Texas Southern University (2012-2016).
Alphonso Smith Basketball
Alphonso Smith, better known as Al Smith, was an electrifying guard/forward for JSU from 1973-77. He was a prolific scorer with tremendous leaping ability. In his senior year, he averaged 20.2 points per game. He is a native of Albany, Georgia. Smith was drafted in the fifth round of the 1977 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers'
Gwen Washington Contributor
Gwendolyn Davis-Washington's life has been one of exceptional service to Jackson State University. She has made a positive impact on the lives of many people by offering her service to support their athletic endeavors, whether in the classroom or on the field. She is president of the Jackson-Hinds Alumni Chapter for 2022. She also volunteers for various departments at JSU, including athletics departments and athletic events. She has served as correspondent secretary and one of the founding members of the JSU Football Booster Club during James Carson's tenure as head football coach. She has served as President of the Big J Sports Club. She is also a founding member of Mississippi JAM Conference organized to help bring awareness to the needs of Jackson State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley State.
Larry Werts Football
Larry Werts, a native of Newberry, South Carolina, was an outstanding linebacker for the Tigers from 1976-80. At Newberry High School, Werts was an all-star in football and basketball, and played in several all-star games in both sports. At JSU, he starred in football, mainly at linebacker and sometimes defensive end. He was credited with over 350 total tackles during his career. He had four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He was the defensive signal caller for the team. He received many awards and honors at JSU. He was named All American by Kodak, Associated Press, and Sheridan Black College in 1980. He was named Sheridan Black College Defensive Player of the Year (1980) and JSU Most Valuable Defensive Player (1980). Werts was drafted in the eighth round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
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