The Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame

Founded in 1976, the university's Sports Hall of Fame has honored over 200 persons for their contributions to Florida A&M University Athletics

Speak of Florida A&M and you call to mind an institution of academic excellence whose tradition in athletics has been equally superb.

Florida A&M University has a firm and admirable reputation and tradition in athletics - molded over many years by many, many people.

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

When he took over as athletic director in 1973, Hansel E. Tookes became aware of a void in the recognition of the many fine people whose contributions to FAMU Athletics and the world of sports, generally, have been remarkably noteworthy. It was this awareness that led Tookes to conceive the Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame.

"We have produced, or have been touched by, many great athletes and contributors to sports," said Tookes.

"Our sportsmen have been honored in the state, the nation and internationally," he added. "Now it is time we recognize these individuals in a manner of permanence."

Tookes felt that the creation of a FAMU Sports Hall of Fame would give the University means of recognizing her sons and daughters in the pattern of other established methods of enshrinement.

Then FAMU President Benjamin L. Perry, Jr., was intrigued by this opportunity for the University to recognize its' own, and gave his blessing and approval for pursuant action.

Tookes decided to form a committee, one whose makeup encompassed as full awareness of FAMU and her traditions as well as broad knowledge of athletics. The committee would also represent the various eras of FAMU's history, Tookes perceived, and each member should be easily accessible.

That original committee in 1976 was comprised of Sylvester L. Beasley, George Brown, 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 for induction into the Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame was not an easy one.

But from the start, each member agreed on one basic criterion that each inductee represent the best that is recognizable in their area of contribution and that enshrinement would cover three elements of athletic endeavor - the coach, the athlete, and the supporter.

Many names received mention and consideration in the Committee's selection deliberations,which consumed much thought and time. The results of those deliberations was universally recognizable as the summit of athletic excellence.

Since then, over 200 persons have been inducted into the Hall.

The Sports Hall of Fame Committee, presently chaired by Dr. Joseph P. Ramsey, hold enshrinement ceremonies each new class on the Friday before the opening home football game of each season, at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.

To make nominations for the Hall of Fame, or get more information about each year's enshrinement week schedule, or to contribute financially to the SHOF, contact Dr. Joseph Ramsey at (850) 599-3868 or by email: joseph.ramsey@famu.edu.

Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame Nomination Form
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FAMU SPORTS HALL OF FAME HONOR ROLL • 1976-2007

Alexander, Ray, 1994; Arnold, John "Bo," 1999; Ashcroft, Jimmy, 1990; Atkins, Gene, 1994; Austin, Alfred, 1999;

Barber, 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; Best, David, 2007 Bing, Charles, 2006 Bostic, 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;

Calhoun, Solomon, 1977; Chambers, Nehemiah, 2001; Champion, Carl, 2000; Champion, Gene, 1998; Champion, John, 1999; Chandler, Tommy, 2003; Charlton, Leroy, 2007 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;

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

Eason, 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;

FAMU's "Famed Final Four of 1952"*; Farmer, Claudette L., 1991; Fears, Earnest D. "Junior," 1977; Felts, Bobby, 1985; Ferguson, Donyale, 2005 Fillyau, 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;

Gaiter, 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; Goldsmith, Fred, 2007 Gomez, John J., 1998; Goodrum, Charles, 1993; Gore, George W. Jr., 1986; Gregory, Beulah B., 1982; Griffin, Robert P. "Pete," 1979; Grissom, Marquis, 1994;

Hagins, Lillian W., 1992; Hardee, Leroy, 1999; Harley, Ulysses, 1990; Hamilton, John, 2006 Harris, 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., 2005 Holmes, Earl, 2005 Howard, John A., 1990; Hubbard, Rudy, 1990; Hudgins-Browning, Rosa, 1994; Hughes, Perry, 2003; Humphries, Frederick S., 1995;

Ingraham, Bernard "Bookie," 1991; Innerarity, Polly, 2002; Irvin, Oliver, 2004; Irvin, Willie, 1995;

James, Alonzo "Babe," 1983; James, Bertha, 1977; James, Montez N., 1988; James, Nathaniel, 1990; James, Shaylor, 2006; Jefferson, Dennis, 2004; Jefferson, Robert L. Sr., 1991; Joe, William "Billy", 2007; Johnson, Clemon, 1986; Johnson, Jimmie, 2003; Johnson, Reuben "Bubba," 1982; Jones, Carlmon, 1990; Jones, Lewis, 1991; Jones, Thomas "Snorky," 1983; Joyce, Oliver, 1984;

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

Lang, 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;

Maloney, 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, 2005 Mills, 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;

Neely, 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;

Oats, Carleton, 1994; Ogelsby, Edward "Rock," 1977; Oliver, Harold, 1993; Oliver, Pamela, 1996;

Paramore, 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;

Ramsey, Gifford "Spanky", 2007 Ramsey, II, Joseph P., 1995; Reed, Isadore "Billy," 1989; Reinhard, Herbert F. III, 1993; Renfroe, Othello "Chico," 1988; Richardson, Theodore "Ted," 2007; 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;

Sampson, 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;

Taylor, Curtis, 2006; Thomas, Maxwell S., 1979; Thompson, James, 1996; Thompson, George; "The Godfather," 1985; Tookes, Hansel "Tootie," 1982; Tullis, James, 1984;

Valdez, Virgil, 2000; Varner, Alphonso "Al," 1983;

Washington, 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

Yates, Sarah Hill, 2007; Young, Roy, 1997

[#]-FAMU'S "Famed Final Four of 1952" • John Cuyler, Thomas Hogan, Willie Irvin, Charles White