ORANGEBURG, SC – Former South Carolina State All-America defensive lineman and National Football League standout Robert Porcher will serve as Em Cee for the university's Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet set for Friday (Sept. 5) at 7 p.m. at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

            Ten former athletes, including two of whom are deceased, will be enshrined during the ceremony.

            Making up the 2008 Class are Barney Bussey (football 1981-84), Sidney Fulton, III (Football 1978-82), Willie Grate (football & basketball 1965-69, posthumous), Michael Holmes (wrestling 1976-80), Rodney Mack (basketball 1985-89), Marvin Marshall (football 1991-94), Samuel Prioleau (baseball 1956-61, posthumous), Anthony Reed (football 1978-82), Robert Reeves (football 1965-69), and Jimmie Rogers (athletic trainer 1974-89).

            Grate, of Conway, passed away in 1980 and Prioleau, a Bluffton native, died in February of this year.

Porcher is a Bulldog Hall of Famer himself, having been inducted in 1998. Her earned All-MEAC and All-America honors as a defensive end for the Bulldogs in 1991.

The Wando High graduate is the only SC State football player to be drafted number one in the NFL. He was taken by the Detroit Lions in the 1992 draft and went on to an illustrious 13-year career and retired as the Lions' all-time career leader in sacks. He appeared in three Pro Bowls during his career.

Tickets for the event are $50 each for adults and $35 for children 15 years old and under. A table seating 10 persons may be purchased for $450. Tickets are available at the SC State Ticket Office (803-536-8579), Alumni Relations (803-536-8946) and the Department of Athletics at 803-536-7242.

For additional information, please call Mary Hill at 803-533-3783.