SECTION 7 THE RATTLER SPORTS TRADITION - … Rattler Sports Tradition ... •The 2003 women’s volleyball team achieving a Top ... (3,592 yards), “Gallopin’ Gal” went

121www.TheFAMURattlers.com

SECTION 7

THE RATTLER SPORTS TRADITION

122 2007 Florida A&M Football

WillieGalimoreFlorida A&M’s all-time rushing leader,this scintillating ath-lete rushed for 3,596yards from 1953-56,earning All-Americahonors four times.He went on to starwith the ChicagoBears, helping themwin the 1963 NFL titleprior to his untimelydeath in 1964.Galimore was en-shrined in the CollegeFootball Hall of Famein 1999.


The Rattler Sports TraditionThe Florida A&M University Athletic Program is an ongoingAmerican sports success story featuring singular performers,championship teams and countless moments of high drama

Established in 1899 with tennis, baseball and football,

Athletics at FAMU has expanded and grown into a DivisionOne program with 18 sports for men and women. The school’s sports teams have won a combined 13national championships and 164 conference cham-pionships in various sports since 1937. •Of the 164 league titles, 85 have come in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition since 1980. Presently, Florida A&M sponsors baseball, basketball,cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoortrack, tennis and swimming for men, while offeringbasketball, bowling, cross country, indoor andoutdoor track, tennis, softball, swimming andvolleyball for women..

FAMU Athletics • Notable Points

•Two American track Olympians in Bob Hayes (1964)and Rey Robinson (1972), both world-record holders inthe 100 meter dash.•Trailblazing tennis and golf prodigy Althea Gibson, whoopened doors for minorities in both sports in the 1950s,dominating the Grand Slam Tour in 1956 and 1957 on thecourts, before joining the Ladies’ Professional Golf Associa-tion Tour in the 1960s.•Scintillatng tailback Willie Galimore, the school’s all-time leading rusher and a four-time All-American (1953-56), is enshrined in the National Football Foundation’sCollege Hall of Fame.•The legendary football coach A.S. “Jake” Gaither, whowon six national titles, produced more than 30 All-Ameri-cans and won 203 games during a magical 25-year span(1945-69).•The late William “Bill” Lucas, a product of the baseballprogram, who would in 1970 become the first-ever AfricanAmerican executive in major league baseball with theAtlanta Braves.

•The four Rattler baseballers who achieved major leaguestardom: McRae (Cincinnati, Kansas City), Dawson(Montreal, Chicago, Boston and Florida), VinceColeman (St. Louis, New York, Seattle) and MarquisGrissom (Montreal, Atlanta, Cleveland, Los Angeles andSan Francisco).•The 1978 football team won the first-ever NCAADivision I-AA national championship.•The 1979 football team stunned Division 1-A Univer-sity of Miami, 16-13.•The NCAA career steals leader in Natalie White(624 from 1992-95).•Jacquay Nunnally became Division One’s career passreceiving leader in 2000, finishing his career with 318receptions in a four-year span (1997-2000).•The 2003 women’s volleyball team achieving a Top35 national ranking after winning the school’s first-everopening round NCAA Tournament match, was thepivotal part of a six-year run by the program, whichcoming into the 2007 campaign has the nation’s longestconference win streak of 91 matches with six (2001-06) straight league titles.•The 2004 men’s basketball team’s exciting NCAATournament run, led by two-time NCAA three-pointshooting champion Terrence Woods, who made anincredible 279 long range goals in a two-yearspan (2003, 2004), followed three years later byanother MEAC Tournament crown won this past winter(2007).•Former head football coach Billy Joe finished hiscareer in 2004 as the second winningest coach (237) inBlack College history and was inducted into the CollegeFootball Hall of Fame in July, becoming the fourthFAMU football personality (Coach Jake Gaither, 1975;Tyrone McGriff, 1996 and Willie Galimore, 1999) to be sohonored.


AltheaGibsonWinner of 11 majortennis tournamentsin 1950s includingWimbledon, FrenchOpen and U.S. Open,the trailblazingGibson was a 1953graduate of FloridaA&M.


Dawson was the1987 NationalLeague MostValuable Playerwith the ChicagoCubs. He now works inthe front office ofthe 2003 WorldSeries Champion

Professional Golf Association(LPGA) Tour in 1962 (compet-ing until 1977), was honored in1991 by the NCAA with theTheodore Roosevelt Award -the highest honor the organiza-tion can bestow.

Leroy “Spike” Gibson - Astandout basketballer for theRattlers in the early 1950s,Gibson became the school’sfirst NBA alumnus, signing in1952 with the Syracuse Nation-als.

John D. Glover - A SportsHall of Fame football star underJake Gaither, Glover embarkedon a career in law enforcementafter graduation, eventuallybecoming Assistant Director ofthe FBI in the 1970s.

Marquis Grissom - Theyoungest member of the Rat-tlers’ major league quartet,

Rattler Legends

Athletes Albert Chester - A three-timefootball Most Valuable Player,Chester was the Rattler quarter-back from 1976 through 1978,leading FAMU to an undefeatedseason (1977) and the NCAADivision 1-AA national title (1978).

Greg Coleman - A stellarplacekicker and punter for FAMUfrom 1972 to 1975, Coleman wenton to the NFL, where he was one ofthe league’s first African Americanpunters with the Minnesota Vi-kings.

Vince Coleman - An exception-ally gifted athlete, blessed withworld class speed, Coleman was astar placekicker and punter forFAMU from 1978 through 1981,

Andre Dawson

Marquis Grissom

Florida Marlins.

Willie Galimore - A four-timeAll-America halfback who remainsthe school’s all-time rushing leader(3,592 yards), “Gallopin’ Gal” wenton to the Chicago Bears of the NFL,where he was one of the league’sfinest backs. He helped lead theBears to the 1963 NFL Champion-ship, but perished in a trainingcamp auto accident in 1964. He wasenshrined in the College FootballHall of Fame in 1999.

Althea Gibson - A multi-talentedathlete who played tennis, basket-ball and golf at FAMU in the early1950s, Gibson attained interna-tional acclaim in 1956, by winningthe French Open singles title. Shewon 11 major tournaments in thelate 1950s, highighted by singleswins at the French Open (1956),Wimbledon and the U.S. Open(1957, 1958), plus three straightdoubles victories at the FrenchOpen (1956, 1957 and 1958).Gibson, who also became the firstAfrican American on the Ladies

Grissom iscurrently astarting out-fielder for theSan FranciscoGiants. Grissomplayed twoseasons atFAMU as anoutfielder andpitcher, before being drafted byMontreal in 1988. He reachedthe major leagues in 1989,moving on

Vince Coleman

but also starred inbaseball, where heled the nation instolen bases (1981). He went on to astandout majorleague baseballcareer beginning in

1985, finishing with nearly 900career stolen bases. He was Na-tional League Rookie of the Year in1985 and played on two WorldSeries teams (1985, 1987) with theSt. Louis Cardinals.

Andre Dawson - Affectionatelyknown as “The Hawk,” Dawson isconsidered one of the greatest rightfielders in major league history.

The “Fantastic Few” - a talented assortmentof great athletes and coaches who performed with

distinction for Florida A&M in sports competition...


Bob HayesOlympic Gold Medal winner (1964)and National Football League All-Pro receiver with Dallas (1965-72).


multi-year contract with the NewYork Knicks.

Clemon “C.J.” Johnson -The school’s all-time leadingrebounder and second-leadingscorer, Johnson went on to alengthy professional career inboth the NBA and in the ItalianLeague. Drafted in 1980 byPortland, Johnson also playedwith Indiana and Philadelphia inthe NBA. In 1983, he combinedhis talents with those of thelegendary Julius Erving andMoses Malone to bring an NBAWorld Championship to the Cityof Brotherly Love.

Alfred “Al” Lawson, Jr. - Atalented local product who cameto Florida A&M on a basketballscholarship, Lawson woulddevelop into a star forward, whowas drafted by the IndianaPacers of the American Basket-ball Association (ABA) in theearly 1960s. Lawson is presentlyserving in the Senate of theFlorida Legislature, after a longstint as a member of the FloridaHouse of Representatives.

Henry “Killer” Lawrence -This strapping All-Americaoffensive tackle, would go on toAll-Pro notices as a tackle for theOakland/Los Angeles Raiders. A Tampa, Florida native,Lawrence had an outstandingperformance in the Senior Bowlagainst college rival Ed “TooTall” Jones of Tennessee State,which prompted the Raiders toselect him in the 1974 NFL Draft.

William “Bill” Lucas - A1958 graduate of Florida A&M,

to Atlanta in time for their 1991World Series win. He was the MVP of the 1992American League ChampionshipSeries with the Cleveland Indi-ans and ranks as one of the mostprolific postseason hitters inmajor league history.

Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes- Perhaps the school’s most well-known athletic product, Hayesshattered numerous track andfield records between 1960 and1964, earning him the title“World’s Fastest Human.” He won two Olympic goldmedals in the 1964 TokyoGames, highlighted by a nowlegendary come-from-behindwin in the 4x100 meter relay. As a professional footballplayer, his world class speed iscredited by many with revolu-tionizing the NFL, as he helpedlead the Dallas Cowboys to aSuper Bowl title in 1972.

Earl Holmes - A two-timeAll-America linebacker and theBlack College Defensive Playerof the Year in 1995, Holmesranks as the school’s all-timeleader in tackles with 509. He recorded 30 takedowns inone game in 1995 against South-ern University and helped leadFAMU to a conference title and aberth in the Alamo HeritageBowl in Atlanta. Drafted by the PittsburghSteelers in 1996, Holmes hasbeen among the NFL’s mostfeared defenders the past de-cade. He is presently with theDetroit Lions.

Jerome “J.J.” James - A7-1 native of Tampa, Florida,James blossomed into a domi-nating presence in the post forthe Rattlers, ranking among thenation’s leaders (Division One)in blocked shots. The personableJames was drafted in 1999 bythe Sacramento Kings andpresently is in the midst of a

Braves’ farm system, Lucasbecame interested in manage-ment. By 1970, Lucas becamethe first African American tohold the position of generalmanager and director of playerpersonnel in the major leagueswith the Atlanta Braves. Heserved in that role until hisuntimely death in the late 1970s.

Tyrone McGriff - A three-time All-America guard for theRattler Football team from 1977to 1979, McGriff was a starperformer on the offensive lineduring FAMU’s back-to-backchampionship seasons in 1977and 1978. Named to the NCAADivision Two All-Quarter Cen-tury Team in 1995, McGriff wasa member of the inaugural groupof small college players inductedinto the College Football Hall ofFame in 1996.

Harold “Hal” McRae - Theschool’s all-time single-seasonleader in runs batted in (75 in1965), Hal McRae was the firstRattler baseball player to reachthe major leagues. Selected by the CincinnatiReds in 1965, McRae would

Bill Lucas

Lucas was a starinfielder for theRattlers who wasdrafted by thethen-MilwaukeeBraves. Afterplaying severalseasons in the

Hal McRae

ascend to All-Starstatus, helpingthem to WorldSeries titles in the1970s. He would latermove to KansasCity, where hebecame a consum-

mate performer as one theAmerican League’s most effec-tive designated hitters in the1980s. Presently a member of theTampa Bay Devil Rays’ frontoffice, McRae was a field man-ager in both Kansas City andTampa Bay.

Carrie “Tot” Meek - ThisMiami native was a multi-sportathlete at FAMU, who went onto

Rattler Legends


make her name in the world ofpolitics. Meek was a noted mem-ber of the Florida Legislature formany years before serving severalterms in Congress.

Curtis Miranda - A three-time All-America center anddefensive lineman during the late1950s and early 1960s, when theRattlers won three national titles,this Jacksonville, Florida fire-brand became the first FAMUfootball player to have his num-ber (53) retired last year. Duringhis playing days, the Rattlersposted three undefeated seasons(1957, 1959, 1961).

Nate Newton - A converteddefensive lineman, Newtonemerged as the club’s best offen-sive line performer between 1980and 1983. After a brief stint in theUSFL with Tampa Bay, Newton

Pam Oliver - Atwo-time All-America sprinter forthe Lady RattlerTrack program,Oliver helped leadFAMU to a Top 10finish at the Associa-tion of Intercolle-giate Athletics forWomen nationalchampionships in1982. A nationally-ranked sprinter inthe 200 meters,

has led FAMU to four confer-ence titles (since 2000) andtwo league crowns in 2004alone.

Natalie White - A superbbasketball player, White led thenation (NCAA Division One) insteals three times during herfour-year career. The FortValley, Georgia native finishedher career in 1995 as theDivision One career stealsleader with 624. She led thenation in steals as a freshman

began a14-yearNFLcareer in1986with theDallassCowboys,earningAll-Prohonorssix (6)times.

Jacquay Nunnally - Thisstandout pass receiver was afour-time All-America between1997 and 2000, finishing hiscareer as the Division One leaderin career receptions with 318.Factor in his postseason efforts,Nunnally finished wity 362career catches, helping lead theRattlers to the NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs in 1997, 1998, 1999and 2000. He was also tabbedBlack College Player of the Yeartwice (1998, 2000) during hiscareer.

Jacquay Nunnally

Oliver was a member of the 4x400meter relay team that ran third inthe NCAA Nationals in 1984. A journalism graduate of FAMU,Oliver is now a noted sportscasterfor the Fox Network, after breakinginto the national sports scene withESPN.

Ken Riley - A star quarterbackfor FAMU during the Gaither Era,Riley fashioned a stellar 15-yearcareer in the NFL with Cincinnati.As a cornerback, Riley made 65pass interceptions - the fourthhighest total in league history. In1986, he returned to FAMU as headfootball coach, then in 1994 wasnamed athletic director, a role heserved in until November 2002.

Reynaud “Rey” Robinson - Thecurrent Florida A&M Men’s Trackand Field Coach, Robinson was aworld-class sprinter in the 1970s,tying the world mark in the 100meter dash in 1972. The Orlando

Pam Oliver

Natalie White

nativeearned aspot on theUnitedStatesOlympicTeam in1972. Sincehis returnto coachthe Rattlertrack team,Robinson

Terrence Woods

(1992),junior(1994) andsenior(1995). In1995, shewas a majorfactor inFloridaA&M’srecord-setting25-6 finish,whichfeatured aMid-EasternAthleticConferencetitle andthe school’s

first-ever NCAA Tournament.

Terrence Woods - ThisMemphis, Tennessee native ledthe nation (NCAA DivisionOne) in three-point shootingduring a dizzying two-year run(2003, 2004). Woods knockeddown 279 three-pointers (139in 2003, 140 in 2004) duringthat span, leading the FloridaA&M Men’s Basketball teamfrom obscurity to a Mid-Eastern Athletic ConferenceTournament title and a first-round NCAA Tournamentvictory in 2004. He also out-classed a field of contestants atthe nationally-televised CapitalOne Three-Point Challenge towin the 2004 title.

Rattler Legends


A.S. “Jake” Gaither - Enshrined in three college football Halls ofFame, Gaither weaved a magical 25-year run from 1945 to 1969 atFAMU, winning 203 games against 36 losses and four ties.

His clubs won seven national titles, 23Southern Intercollegiate AthleticConference titles, producing 36 All-Americans and 42 professional players. Twelve of his teams finished the yearwith just one loss, four of his clubs wentunbeaten and untied. Gaither also ushered FAMU into themainstream of college sports, with hisannual spring coaching clinic whichattracted some of the great names in thecoaching ranks. Alabama legend Paul “Bear” Bryant,Kentucky’s Adolph “The Baron” Rupp,Arkansas’ Frank Broyles and Texas’Darrell Royal were just some of the stellarnames to work Gaither’s clinic.

Rudy Hubbard - This Ohio Stategraduate came to FAMU in 1974 andturned around a struggling program inshort order. The Rattlers went 9-2 in Hubbard’s firstyear, but after retooling during a 6-3-2campaign in 1976, FAMU would embarkon a scintillating stretch over the nextthree years. From 1977 to 1979, theRattlers went 30-5, going unbeaten (11-0)in 1977; winning the first-ever NCAADivision 1-AA national title in 1978 (12-1),while pulling off a stunning 16-13 upset ofthe University of Miami during an injury-plagued season (7-4). Hubbard finished his career second incoaching wins (83) at FAMU behind JakeGaither.

William “Billy” Joe - The effervescentfirebrand of Rattler Football, Billy Joeended an 11-season run as head coach in2004, with 86 wins at FAMU since 1994.Joe is second in career victories all-timeamong Black College Coaches with 237wins in 31 years. His career featured stopsat Cheyney (Pa.) State and Central State(Ohio) prior to his advent on the scene atFAMU. The Rattlers put together a stretchof six consecutive years of nine (9) ormore wins (1995-2000) and seven

Jake Gaither

Rudy Hubbard

Billy Joe

Rattler Coaching Legends

Costa Kittles

Bobby Lang

Tony Trifonov

Veronica Wiggins

Pete Griffin

Ed Oglesby

Jake Gaither from 1947 to 1969.

Costa “Pop” Kittles - Florida A&M’slegendary baseball coach who patrolled thesidelines from 1958 to 1981, won 428 games,winning eight Southern IntercollegiateAthletic Conference titles. Three of his players advanced to majorleague baseball: Hal McRae, Andre Dawsonand Vince Coleman, while one of his formerstars, Bill Lucas, ascended to the role ofgeneral manager with the Atlanta Braves.

Bobby E. Lang - This Jacksonville, Floridanative took the reins of the track programfrom Pete Griffin in 1966 and proceeded tocreate a legendary run of his own. Lang, who retired in 1999, won 38 confer-ence titles between men and women in theSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conferences. He produced a number of standoutindividuals, headlined by 1972 U.S. OlympianRey Robinson, a fleet-footed youngster whotied the world record in the 100 meter dash.

Robert “Pete” Griffin - A Ohio native whowas one of the first All-America footballplayers (1938), Griffin became a legendarycoach at FAMU during a career spanning fourdecades. An assistant football coach from 1942through 1975, Griffin served one season(1970) as head football coach following theretirement of Jake Gaither. Griffin, who was known affectionately as“Coach Pete,” served as head track coach fromthe late 1940s until 1966, producing severalworld class sprinters including Bob Hayes,while founding the FAMU Relays in 1950.

Veronica Wiggins - The 2006 FAMUSports Hall of Fame electee has fashioned adazzling 16-year career as head of thewomen’s softball program. She has led theLady Rattlers to eight MEAC titles, sixpostseason NCAA trips and over 430 victoriesduring that span. Wiggins’ clubs have postedtwo 40-win seasons and 11 30-win seasonsduring her tenure.

Tanio “Tony” Trifonov - The Bulgarian-born coach has pushed FAMU Women’sVolleyball into national prominence with 221match wins, eight MEAC titles and sevenNCAA Tournament trips since 1997.The FAMU Women have notable upsets ofnational powers such as Nebraska, LongBeach State and Louisville, plus have won 91straight MEAC matches coming into 2007 -the longest current conference win streak inthe nation among Division One programs.

straight years of postseason play (1995-2001).

Edward “Rockjaw” or”Rock” Oglesby - A standout quarterbackand halfback for the Rattler Football teamin the 1940s, Oglesby,known as a stern and demanding taskmaster, served as men’sbasketball coach from 1949 to 1972, winning a dozen SouthernIntercollegiuate Athletic Conference titles, while compiling a 386-132mark, for a sterling .745 winning percentage. Oglesby also served on the Rattler Football coaching staff under


THE FLORIDA A&M SPORTS HALL OF FAME

FAMU’S Hallowed Hall Speak of Florida A&M and you call to

mind an institution of academic excellencewhose tradition in athletics has beenequally superb. Florida A&M University has a firm andadmirable reputation and tradition inathletics - molded over many years by many,many people.

People on gridiron, diamond, track andfield. People, some who received plaudits;others who were unsung. Yet all determined,all gifted, all creative, and all strong in theirability and willingness to contributeindividually and in union to their school,their contest, their sport.

blessing and approval for pursuant action. Tookes decided to form a committee, onewhose makeup encompassed as fullawareness of FAMU and her traditions aswell as broad knowledge of athletics. Thecommittee would also represent the variouseras of FAMU’s history, Tookes perceived,and each member should be easilyaccessible. That original committee in 1976 wascomprised of Sylvester L. Beasley, GeorgeBrown, Harold Clack, Rudolph Givens,Robert P. Griffin, Alfred Lawson, Phillip J.Nelson, Robert L. Rollins and Ezekiel Sims. Their task of selecting the first persons forinduction into the Florida A&M Sports Hall

HANSEL E. TOOKES

Athletic Director (1973-80)Founder of Florida A&MUniversity Sports Hall

of Fame in 1976

When he took over as athletic director in1973, Hansel E. Tookes became aware of avoid in the recognition of the many finepeople whose contributions to FAMUAthletics and the world of sports, generally,have been remarkably noteworthy. It wasthis awareness that led Tookes to conceivethe Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame. “We have produced, or have been touchedby, many great athletes and contributors tosports,” said Tookes. “Our sportsmen have been honored in thestate, the nation and internationally,” headded. “Now it is time we recognize theseindividuals in a manner of permanence.” Tookes felt that the creation of a FAMUSports Hall of Fame would give theUniversity means of recognizing her sonsand daughters in the pattern of otherestablished methods of enshrinement. Then FAMU President Benjamin L. Perry,Jr., was intrigued by this opportunity for theUniversity to recognize its’ own, and gave his

2007

Sports Hall

of Fame Class

David BestBaseball

Leroy CharltonFootball

Fred GoldsmithCoach

Sarah Hill-YatesSupporter

Gifford RamseyFootball

Ted RichardsonFootball

Fame was not an easy one. But from the start, each member agreedon one basic criterion that each inducteerepresent the best that is recognizable in theirarea of contribution and that enshrinementwould cover three elements of athleticendeavor - the coach, the athlete, and thesupporter. Many names received mention andconsideration in the Committee’s selectiondeliberations,which consumed much thoughtand time. The results of those deliberationswas universally recognizable as the summitof athletic excellence.

Since then, over 200 persons have beeninducted into the Hall.

The Sports Hall of Fame Committee,presently chaired by Dr. Joseph P. Ramsey,II will hold enshrinement ceremonies for the2007 class on Friday, September 14 at theTallahassee-Leon County Civic Center at7:00 p.m.

F


AAlexander, Ray, 1994;Arnold, John “Bo,” 1999;Ashcroft, Jimmy, 1990;Atkins, Gene, 1994;Austin, Alfred, 1999;

BBarber, Antonio “Tony,” 1995;Barber, William, 1997;Barnes, William “Billy,” 1988;Bartley, Lua S. “Flash,” 1984;Beasley, Sylvester “Jap,” 1983;Bell, Arnold, 2003;Bell, William “Big Bill”, 1976;Bellamy, Waite, 1987;Bing, Charles, 2006Bostic, Charles “Jubie,” 1979;Bogan, Allen “Al,” 2003;Boston, Shelly, 2000;Bragg, Eugene “Jubie,” 1978;Bragg, Jubie B. Sr., 1976;Bragg, Robert L., 1991;Brown, Abraham, 1994;Britt, Thomas, E., 1992;Broxton, Eugene F., 1992;Bruton, James L. Sr., 1987;Burgess, Calvin G., 1991;Burgess, Lymus, 1987;Burns, Ralph, 2002;Butler, Henry J. “Hank,” 1977;

CCalhoun, Solomon, 1977;Chambers, Nehemiah, 2001;Champion, Carl, 2000;Champion, Gene, 1998;Champion, John, 1999;Chandler, Tommy, 2003;Chester, Albert 1985;Childs, Clarence “Poppa,” 1978;Coffee, Bennie, 2003;Coleman, Abbie Carr, 1980;Coleman, Gregory, 1985;Coleman, Vince, 1994;Coleman, Roosevelt, 1997;Collier, Emory, 2002;Collier, Otis, 1998;Coverson, Arthur Lee, 1987;Clack, Harold “Poppa,” 1985;Clarington, Willie, 2003;Clark, Edward “Zip,” 1980;

Clayton, Mack, 2004;Clayton, Mickey, 1996;Cromartie, Leroy “Crow,” 1984;Crowell, Carl E., 1994;Curtis, Ulysses “Crazy Legs,” 1980;

DDaValt, Clarence “Pop,” 1978;Daniels, David, Sr., 1992;Davis, Alfred “Al”, 2005Davis, Reggie, 2002;Dawson, Andre, 1981;Denson, Alfred “Al,” 1981;DeShields, Charles, 1988;Drew, Darryl, 1998;Donald, Harold “T-Model,” 2000;Dixon, Hewritt, 1981;

EEason, John, 1984;Eason, R.C., 1995;Edmonds, Harry “Choker,” 1989;Edwards, Glen “Knotty Pine,” 1989;Engram, Archie Bennett, 1990;Evans, L.R., 1996;Everett, James “Dean Blue,” 1976;

FFAMU’s “Famed Final Four of1952”*;Farmer, Claudette L., 1991;Fears, Earnest D. “Junior,” 1977;Felts, Bobby, 1985;Ferguson, Donyale, 2005Fillyau, Earnest, 2004;Finnie. Roger Lewis, 1990;Floyd, Vernon, 1998;Foote, L.H.B., 1977;Foster, William P. “Pat,” 1985;Frazier, Aldolphus “Al,” 1979;Funchess, Kimberly, 2000;

GGaiter, Salathiel W., 1986;Gaither, Alonzo S. “Jake,” 1976;Galimore, Willie, 1976;Gant, James “Jack,” 1985;Gant, Roy, 1989;Gary, Wilbur “Bulldog,” 1981;Gentry, Howard “Tubby,” 1977;Givens, Rudy, 2001;

Glover, John D., 1982;Gibson, Althea, 1976;Gibson, Leroy “Spike,” 1983;Ginn, Hubert, 1989;Gladden, Callivan “Iron Man,”1989;Gomez, John J., 1998;Goodrum, Charles, 1993;Gore, George W. Jr., 1986;Gregory, Beulah B., 1982;Griffin, Robert P. “Pete,” 1979;Grissom, Marquis, 1994;

HHagins, Lillian W., 1992;Hardee, Leroy, 1999;Harley, Ulysses, 1990;Hamilton, John, 2006Harris, John D. “Straw,” 1980;Harris, Robert F., 1987;Harrison, Ida Robinson, 1993;Harrison, Leo, 1992;Hayes, Robert “Bullet Bob,” 1976;Hawkins, Wallace “Hawk,” 2000;Hazelton, Major Floyd, 1990;Heard, Jesse, 2004;Hearns, Samuel “Red Hot,” 1988;Hepburn, Alkin, 1987;Highsmith, Walter, 1994;Hill, Mary, 2004;Holley, Arthur, 1997;Hollins, Alvin, Jr., 2005Holmes, Earl, 2005Howard, John A., 1990;Hubbard, Rudy, 1990;Hudgins-Browning, Rosa, 1994;Hughes, Perry, 2003;Humphries, Frederick S., 1995;

IIngraham, Bernard “Bookie,” 1991;Innerarity, Polly, 2002;Irvin, Oliver, 2004;Irvin, Willie, 1995;

JJames, Alonzo “Babe,” 1983;James, Bertha, 1977;James, Montez N., 1988;James, Nathaniel, 1990;James, Shaylor, 2006;Jefferson, Dennis, 2004;

Sports Hall of Famers • 1976 - 2006THE FLORIDA A&M SPORTS HALL OF FAME


Jefferson, Robert L. Sr., 1991;Johnson, Clemon, 1986;Johnson, Jimmie, 2003;Johnson, Reuben “Bubba,” 1982;Jones, Carlmon, 1990;Jones, Lewis, 1991;Jones, Thomas “Snorky,” 1983;Joyce, Oliver, 1984;

KKaigler-Coleman, Dana, 2003;Kelley, John “Big John,” 1984;Kelly, Floyd, 2001;Kelly, Howard G., 1993;Kenchon, William, 1996;Kennedy, Walter, 2005Kidd, Arthur L., 1981;Killings, Allen F., 1986;Kirksey, Leander A. Jr., 1980;Kitchings, Earl, Sr., 1997;Kittles, Costa “Pop,” 1982;

LLang, Bobby E., 1985;Lang, Calvin, 2000;Lawrence, Henry “Killer,” 1983;Lawson, Alfred “Al” Jr., 1988;Lawson, Edwin “Butch,” 1999;Lee, Cynthia, 1996;Lee, John Robert E. Jr., 1976;Lee, John Robert E. Sr., 1978;Lee, Willie, 1981;Leonard, Charles “Lip Jack,” 1988;Lewis, Aubrey, 1990;Lewis, Kiser, 1997;Lewis, Robert, 1998;Lucas, Robert “Bob,” 1995;Lucas, William “Bill,” 1976;

MMaloney, Calvin C. Jr., 1980;Manning, April, 1999;Marion, Frank, 2006;Marshall, Samuel T., 1983;Mason, Otis, 1988;Mayes, Jesse J., 1980;McCaskill, Jimmy, 1989;McClung, Willie, 1995;McCoggle, William, 2004;McCoy, Alfred “Al,” 1992;McCray, William, 2001;McElveen, Maggie, 1998;McGriff, Tyrone, 1989;McKay, Owen “Butch,” 1985;McKinney, Forrest, 2000;McKennie, Bobbie Mitchell, 1987;McRae, Harold “Hal,” 1977;Meek, Carrie “Tot,” 1978;Merchant, Frank, 2005

Messina, Tony, 2005Mills, Vera, 1984;Milton, Eugene, 1990;Miranda, Curtis, 1979;Mitchell, Bradley, 1981;Mitchell, Thomas L. Sr., 1989;Mobley, James Otis, 1997;Montgomery, Theodore, 1985;Moore, Bennie, 2001;Moore, Oscar A. “Chief,” 1978;Moore, Russell “Creep,” 1992;Mungen, Robert “Bob,” 1986;

NNeely, Murray A., 1979;Nelson, Phillip J., 1996;Newton, Nathaniel “Big Time,” 1994;Niles, R. Nathaniel, 1993;Norman, Oscar Frank, Sr., 1987;Nottage, Samuel G., 1991;

OOats, Carleton, 1994;Ogelsby, Edward “Rock,” 1977;Oliver, Harold, 1993;Oliver, Pamela, 1996;

PParamore, Robert “China Doll,”1981;Perry, Benjamin L. Jr., 1979;Pittman, Herman “Big Man,” 1978;Poole, Frankie, 1996;Poole, Thomas H., 1980;Powell, Nathaniel “Traz,” 1977;Primus, Theodore “Ted,” 1992;

RRamsey, II, Joseph P., 1995;Reed, Isadore “Billy,” 1989;Reinhard, Herbert F. III, 1993;Renfroe, Othello “Chico,” 1988;Riley, Kenneth J. “Ken,” 1982;Rivers, Sybil, 1995;Robinson, Cathy, 2001;Robinson, Reynaud “Rey,” 1986;Rolle, Frankie S., 1979;Rolle, Rudolph, 1997;Rolle, William “Billy,” 1989;Rolle, William “Billy Jr.,” 2003;Rollins, Robert L. “Trapper,” 1988;Ross, Vernell “Hoss,” 1984;

SSampson, Oteman, 2006;Sarjeant, Lindsey, 2006;Schoolfield, Kent, 1989;Scruggs, Frank Sr., 1992;Silva, Verneka Stirrup, 1991; Small,

James “Bubbling,” 1983; Smith,Charles U., 1993;Smith, Herb, 2002;Smith, Joe Lee, 1986;Smith Walter L., 1998;Stanley, James T., 1996;Stephens, Bernard, 1990;Strachan, Stanley, 1977;Sutton, Charles, 1996;Sykes, Alfreddie, 1993;

TTaylor, Curtis, 2006;Thomas, Maxwell S., 1979;Thompson, James, 1996;Thompson, George; “The Godfa-ther,” 1985;Tookes, Hansel “Tootie,” 1982;Tullis, James, 1984;

VValdez, Virgil, 2000;Varner, Alphonso “Al,” 1983;

WWashington, Alfred “Al,” 2004;Washington, Earl “Bubba,” 1989;Watts, Leon “Sunshades,” 1979;White, Alvin, 1990;White, Andre Moses, 1997;White, Charles J., 1986;White, Julian, 2006;White, Natalie, 2001;White, Walter & Sophia, 2002;Wiggins, Veronica, 2006;Williams, Clara Nixon, 1997;Williams, Isaiah “Ike,” 1994;Williams, James “Big Jim,” 1984;Williams, Johnnie, 1987;Williams, Macon “Body Builder,”1980;Wilson, Roosevelt, 1999;Wilson, William “Chicken Shack,”1984;Woodard, Arthur E. “Art,” 1986;Woodruff, Claude, 1992;Wooten, Lonnie, 1979;Wright, Dorothy, 2004;Wynn, Walter C. “Suitcase,” 1986

YYoung, Roy, 1997

[#]-FAMU’S “Famed Final Four of1952” • John Cuyler, Thomas Hogan,Willie Irvin, Charles White

THE FLORIDA A&M SPORTS HALL OF FAME


RATTLERS IN OTHER HALLS OF FAMEFlorida A&M University’s athletic program has had its’ share of

singular success since its’ humble beginnings at the turn of the lastcentury and many of its’ student-athletes and coaches have been

honored by various national and state halls of fame over the years.

The National Football Foundation College Hall of FameFour FAMUANS are enshrined in College Football Hall of Fame

Four Rattlers are enshrined in thishallowed Hall, two coaches - Jake Gaither(1975) and Billy Joe (2007), along with twoplayers - Tyrone McGriff (1996) andWillie Galimore (1999).

@Gaither is the school’s all-time winningestcoach (203 wins in 25 years), who led FAMU tosix (6) Black College National titles, whileproducing 36 All-Americans. A graduate ofKnoxville (Tenn.) College, Gaither finishedwith an .840 winning percentage one of thebest-ever among all coaches on any level incollege football history. @Joe is the second winningest coach inBlack College Football History with 237 winsand six Black College National titles in 31seasons. At FAMU, Joe won 86 games, oneBlack College national title, produced five BlackCollege Players of the year and led the Rattlers

The Florida Sports Hall of Fame

to seven straight postseason appearances. @McGriff was part of the first class ofsmall college players enshrined into theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1996. TheGifford, Fla. native was a three-time All-American (1977-78-79) at FAMU at rightguard, playing a major role in two nationaltitles (1977, 11-0; 1978, 12-1) and the first-ever NCAA Division 1-AA title (1978). Hewas a starter on the 1979 team that upsetDivision 1-A Miami, 16-13. @Galimore was the school’s firstthree-time All-America (1954-55-56) andthe school’s all-time leading rusher with3,592 yards. He scored 16 touchdowns in1956 and averaged better than eight (8.0)yards per carry in his career. He alsoremains the school’s all-time single-gamerushing king, after a 295-yard effortagainst Maryland State in 1954.

Eight FAMUANs have been honored by the FSHOF Eight (8) former FAMU coaches and student-

athletes are a part of the Florida Sports Hall ofFame, a number which at one time trailed only theUniversity of Florida. @Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, was a multi-time major league baseball All-Star during a careerwhich spanned four teams and both leagues.Drafted in 1975 by Montreal, he earned NationalLeague MVP honors in 1989 after blasting 49 homeruns for the Chicago Cubs..... In May, he wasinducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall ofFame.... @James Everett, Sr. was a two-time All-America back for the Rattler football team in 1934and 1935...... @A.S. “Jake” Gaither, the legendary footballcoach (1945-69) and athletic director (1945-73) atFlorida A&M, who is among the all-time

winningest coaches in college football history..... @Willie Galimore, the All-America halfback whoranks as the all-time leading rusher in school history.He went on to professional fame with the ChicagoBears, before a training camp auto accident cut shorthis life in 1964.... @Althea Gibson, the first African-American towin Grand Slam tennis tournaments, this 1954graduate was a trailblazer who won the French Opensingles title in 1956 and 1957 and both Wimbledonand U.S. Open singles titles in 1957.... @Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes, known as “TheWorld’s Fastest Human” in the 1960s, he set cindertracks on fire with his blazing speed, cruising to twoOlympic Gold Medals in the 1964 Tokyo Games (100,4x100). He rode his unmatched running skills to theNFL, where he fashioned an All-Pro career with theDallas Cowboys as a wide receiver.....

@Harold “Hal” McRae, was a fiery, hard-working baseball performer that became FAMU’sfirst major leaguer with Cincinnati in the 1960s.He was part of the fabled “Big Red Machine” Redsteams of the 1970s, then with Kansas City, hehelped define the designated hitter position withthe Royals. He managed the Royals in 1992-93 andthe Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000-02). @Kenneth “Ken” Riley, former athleticdirector at FAMU, was a superb four-sport starathlete at Bartow’s Union Academy, before playingcollegiately at FAMU. A four-year letterwinner atquarterback and the team’s 1968 MVP, Rileywould fashion a successful 15-year pro career atcornerback with Cincinnati, during which hefinished fourth all-time in career interceptions(65).


National Championships

13

Black College National Titles • Football

1938 • 1940 • 1942 • 1947 • 1953

1957 • 1959 • 1961

1964 • 1977 • 1978 • 1998

NCAA National Championship

Football

1978

National Minority College

Golf Championship

2000

Conference Championships

164

RATTLER CHAMPIONSHIP HONOR ROLL

Sport No.

Baseball ......................... 20

Basketball (Men) ......... 11

Basketball (Women) ..... 4

Football ......................... 35

Golf (Men) ..................... 7

Softball ........................... 8

Track (Women) ............. 16

Track (Men) ................... 32

Tennis (Men) ................. 15

Tennis (Women) ........... 5

Volleyball (Women) ...... 11

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1925-1980) • 78New South Women’s Athletic Conference (1985-94) • 1

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1980-83; 1988-Present) • 85

Documents

SECTION 7 THE RATTLER SPORTS TRADITION - … Rattler Sports Tradition ... •The 2003 women’s volleyball team achieving a Top ... (3,592 yards), “Gallopin’ Gal” went