WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Former South Carolina State running back Rickey Anderson (1974-77) will be among five persons enshrined in the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Friday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the M.C. Benton Jr., Convention Center.
A Kingsland, Georgia native, Anderson was the first 1000-yard rusher for the Bulldogs in 1977 when he ran for 1,195 yards and 18 touchdowns on his way to All-America and All-Conference honors. He is an SC State Hall of Famer and a member of the Bulldog Centennial (1907-2007) Team.
Anderson, who played briefly in the National Football League with San Diego and Cleveland, will become the 17th SC State inductee in the MEAC Hall of Fame.
Also to be inducted are former wide receiver Jacquay Nunnally of Florida A&M, baseball standout Ira Smith of Maryland-Eastern Shore, quarterback Ted White of Howard and Ed Hill, longtime ports information director at Howard.
The Hall of Fame Class is being honored in conjunction with the 2010 MEAC Basketball Tournament, held March 8-13 at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum (LJVM) in Winston-Salem.
“We are excited to recognize another outstanding class of inductees, persons who have made a significant impact on their institutions and our conference during their collegiate days and beyond,” said Dennis E. Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. “I'd like to congratulate the 2010 MEAC Hall of Fame Class for all of its achievements both athletically and professionally.”
Anderson, who now lives in Jacksonville, Fla., but still works in nearby Kingsland, said Thursday he was excited to be entering the prestigious hall
“I'm honored and humbled to be going into the MEAC Hall of Fame, the former Bulldog runner said. “Since being notified that I was to be one of the honorees this year, I kind of took a step back and reflected on my years at SC State, my teammates and playing in the MEAC with and against some great players. It's really great to be recognized in such a way.”
Anderson, who is currently employed with one of the Bayer (aspirin) companies in his hometown, will be presented by retired SC State head football Willie Jeffries, whom he played for during his years as a Bulldog.
The MEAC Hall of Fame inducted its first class on May 29, 1981, during a 10-year anniversary banquet in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since its establishment in 1981, the Hall of Fame has enshrined 103 people, including the Class of 2010.
Rickey Anderson, South Carolina State: was the first South Carolina State football player to surpass the 1,000 yard mark with 1,195 total yards. In 1977, he guided the Bulldogs to a 6-0 conference mark en route to their fourth consecutive MEAC title. That same year, he earned All-MEAC First-Team accolades and was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year. The 1977 Associated Press College Division All-American holds the school and MEAC records for career average per carry (6.5; 1974-77). Anderson was a third-round draft choice by the San Diego Chargers in the 1978 National Football League (NFL) draft and also played for the Cleveland Browns. He was inducted into the South Carolina State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and was a member of the South Carolina State Centennial football team in 2007.
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