A stellar class of greats entered JSU sports immortality as 15 legends were inducted into the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame Thursday night.

The Class of 2022 Enshrines will be celebrated throughout the weekend with a Friday brunch and will be presented on the field during pregame ceremonies prior to kickoff of Saturday's Jackson State Bethune-Cookman football game in the W.C. Gorden Classic at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Quincy Coleman - Football
Before playing for the NFL's Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, Coleman was a prominent defensive back for the Jackson State University Tigers from 1994-1997. As a four-year starter at JSU, he earned All-SWAC 2nd Team (1994-1995); All-SWAC 1st Team (1996-1997); and SWAC Defensive Player of the Week (1996). He was selected for the 1997 SBN (Sheridan Broadcasting Network) Black College Football All-American Team. During his career, he managed a total of 19 career interceptions and four touchdowns. Under the leadership of James "Big Daddy" Carson and staff, Coleman was part of back-to-back JSU SWAC Championships (1995-1996). The Tigers also went on to become the JSU National Champions (1996). Professionally, Coleman played for the Chicago Bears (1998-1999), New York Giants (2000), and the NFL Europe Frankfurt Galaxy (2000). He played Canadian Football with the Edmonton Eskimos (2002-2004), who won the Grey Cup in 2003. His football career ended with the Ottawa Renegades (2005).

Dennis Dupree Sr. - Football
A Jackson, Miss. native, Dupree was the only defensive back recruited to JSU in 1976. Dupree played football at JSU for five years, and the team was a powerhouse during his time there. He went from being a redshirt freshman to a starting strong safety. Dupree was well known for his hard-hitting style, his knowledge of the game, his exemplary leadership skills, and strong work ethic. Each year during his tenure, JSU had a winning record. In 1977, JSU led the nation in Division I defense and won the SWAC Championship in 1980 – his final year. Dupree stood out in the classroom as he did on the football field. He received the JSU Football Award for the Highest Scholastic Average Award, earned President's List honors for his academics, and, by his senior year, Dupree was one of the football team captains.

Michael Fields - Football
Fields attended JSU (1978-1982) and played football under Head Coach W.C. Gorden, lettering all four seasons. In 1981, he was voted 1st Team All-SWAC. He was also selected to play in the Sheridan Black College All-Star Football Game. As well, he was named Black College All-American and earned Honorable Mention All-American from the Associated Press. Fields was also inducted into the Jackson State University Football Hall of Honor. Professionally, he signed with the Oakland Raiders (1982) and with the LA Express, the USFL Football League (1983-1984).

Curtis Ford - Baseball
Former World Series Major League Baseball player Curt Ford was a huge contributor to JSU athletics. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1985 to 1988. Before the pros, Ford received an opportunity to attend Jackson State University on a baseball scholarship and played second base for the Tigers. Ford boasted an illustrious career and received several awards. He was named SWAC MVP, All-Conference Player, and AllState Player during his tenure. After his junior season, Ford was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1981 MLB draft. On June 22, 1985, Ford made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals. His first major league hit was off of Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame pitcher Lee Smith. In Ford's first week in the major league, he went 6 for 12. This year ended with the Cardinals making a World Series appearance. In 1987, Ford slashed an astounding .285 batting average and three home runs in 89 games before an injury.

Christopher Gale - Football
Gale became a dominating defensive player for the Tigers. Eventually, this led him to pursue interest in the New York Giants and the World League of American football. At JSU, he started in seven games in 1987 at defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman, including the playoff game in which he was named defensive player of the game. The following year he was moved to nose guard with four games left, and was named first team All-SWAC and honorable mention All-American. As a junior, Gale held the pre-season status as the top defensive lineman in the conference. Unfortunately, a torn ACL on the first day of practice caused him to miss the entire year. Gale took time to focus on his academics and graduated in spring 1990 with a year of eligibility left and helped JSU win the 1990 SWAC championship. Gale was named 1st-Team All SWAC and All-American. He was the recipient of a Toyota Leadership Award and JSU Coaches Award. After JSU, he was a free agent with the New York Giants, making it to the last cut. After that he was drafted into the World League of American Football by the Sacramento Surge. He was cut, and that ended his football career.

George Edward Handy – Track and Field
Handy was nicknamed "Kountry" by JSU track Coach Martin Epps. Handy was one of Jackson State University's most versatile athletes. He ran races from 400 meters to the mile and cross country. Among Handy's accomplishments include: Earning NAIA All-American indoors (1973, 1975, 1977); NCAA All-American indoors (1975); member of the JSU winning SWAC's Cross Country Championship (1975); member of JSU's winning NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships (1973, 1975, 1976, 1977); and member of the winning NAIA 2-mile relays at the National Championships (1973, 1975, 1977). Handy also finished third in the 600-yard run at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championship. He lettered in track and field (1973-1977).

Derrick "Bo" Lewis -  Football
Lewis graduated from Jackson State in 1997 before signing as a free agent with the Tennessee Oilers. No stranger to hard work and leadership, he earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice at his alma mater, where he was a standout athlete and racked up impressive stats. His collegiate athletic career began at JSU in 1993. He was a cornerback (1994-1997) and achieved four-time letterman status. His stats included 186 tackles, 10 interceptions and 48 defended passes. Lewis' accomplishments also included ALL-SWAC (1995-1997) and ESPN All-American Honors (1997), and he served as team captain. In 2011, he was named to the JSU Football All-Century Team. Professionally, beyond the Oilers, he joined the Canadian Football League (CFL), helping his team secure a CFL Grey Cup Championship in 2000. In 2002, Lewis was named CFL West All-Star. From 1998 to 2004, he played defensive back for the British Columbia Lions. He also played for the Toronto Argonauts (2005-2006). Cumulatively, Lewis played 118 career games in the CFL. His career stats included 300 tackles, 20 interceptions, five sacks, and one touchdown.

Erica Payton – Women's Golf
Payton continued the family legacy of greatness at JSU, carding her lowest college round of 75 at the 2009 NCAA Regional. She was a SWAC Championship winner with the Tigers for three of her four years (2009, 2010, 2012) while at JSU. Payton is a two-time graduate of JSU, having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2013 and a Master of Science degree in sports management in 2015.

Marlo Perry – Football
While at Jackson State, Perry played under the expert tutelage of Coach W. C. Gordon and Coach James "Big Daddy'' Carson Jr., where he recorded 367 tackles, 14 sacks and three interceptions. He was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year as a freshman (1990), and started every game of his sophomore season (1991-1992). As a junior, he was named All-SWAC after leading the conference in tackles. Perry was a first-team All-American selection by the Associated Press in his senior year. He was also named to the All-SWAC first-team and nominated for the Dick Butkus Award in 1993. Additional honors include being the 1994 East-West Shrine Bowl Selectee/Player as well as a 1994 Senior bowl Selectee/Player before retiring from the NFL due to injury.

King D. Rush Jr. - Football
Under the leadership of Head Coach W.C. Gorden and with James Carson as defensive coordinator and position coach, Rush became a four-year letterman. He was a leading tackler on special teams and was recognized as Best Special Team Player several times during his freshman year. As a sophomore while playing behind a fifth-year senior, he started in four games. He became a full-time starter as a junior linebacker and was credited with 65 tackles on a defense with "greedy tacklers." During his senior year, as a team captain, he continued his quest to establish himself on defense. Rush finished the season with 95 tackles, several pass break-ups, and a fumble recovery. He was selected as All-SWAC at the linebacker position and played in the Black College All-Star Game that year.

Richard Shaw – Athletics Supporter
Shaw is a 1977 centennial graduate of Jackson State University. He and his late wife Beverly Nelson Shaw established Dynastics Screen-Printing and Promotional Products Inc. in 1988. Shaw has been a perennial supporter of JSU, which he credits for paving the way to his success. Shaw was featured in Sports Illustrated's 2021 December issue, highlighting the impact of JSU former Coach Deion Sanders in which he discussed the university's historical accomplishments. Shaw has received numerous honors due to his outstanding support and contributions to Jackson State, the city of Jackson, and surrounding communities.

Frank O. Thompson – Football
Thompson landed spots with the NFL's Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Raiders after his spectacular accomplishments on the field as a Jackson State University Tiger. Thompson was recruited by JSU and received a full scholarship to play football 1978-1981. His collegiate career earned him four football letters. Also, he was selected for the All-SWAC teams for two and served as captain his senior year. Thompson played on the JSU SWAC Championship teams in 1980 and 1981. His notable JSU performance stats included a number of tackles, fumble recoveries and quarterback sacks. These feats propelled Thompson, an All-Conference Defensive End, to join the Miami Dolphins (1982) and the Los Angeles Raiders (1983).

Janice Fair Thurston –  Track and Field
On her way to earning an undergraduate degree in therapeutic recreation at JSU, she made significant contributions to the track-and-field program at the legendary HBCU by earning Most Versatile Female (1976-1977), Best QuarterMiler (1978), and Most Versatile (1979). Years later, Thurston continued her passion for track and field as a Master's Level Official, officiating track and field on all levels.

Verita White – Volleyball
White was awarded a full scholarship in 2002 to be an all-around volleyball player for the JSU Lady Tigers, earning team MVP/Co-MVP her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She was selected to the Preseason All-SWAC team for the aforementioned periods and earned Second Team All-SWAC honors during her sophomore year. While at JSU, White was selected to several All-Tournament teams and received honorable mentions for her athletic performance. White currently leads JSU Women's Volleyball all time in total kills, total points scored, total games played, and total block assists. After playing four years of volleyball at JSU, as a graduate assistant she helped the Lady Tigers in winning their inaugural SWAC Championship.

Ladell Wills - Football
At JSU, Wills was a 1st-Team Black College All-American selection, earning All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors (1983, 1984). Wills led Jackson State in tackles and sacks in 1983 and 1984 with 106 tackles and 17.5 quarterback sacks. He had two interceptions in his junior season; 97 total tackles; 12.5 quarterback sacks; and four fumble recoveries in his senior season, and was selected to play in the Freedom Bowl. Professionally, he played in the USFL (1984-1985) and in the NFL for the New York Jets (1987-1988).

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