ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State will induct ten (10) new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame Friday, during a 7 p.m. enshrinement banquet at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. The university will also honor the 1988-89 men's basketball championship team and the 1990-91 women's volleyball championship squad. The inductees and teams will also be presented at halftime of the Mississippi Valley State - S.C. State – Mississippi Valley State football game Saturday. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
Making up the 2010 class of inductees are Dr. Thomas Lee Adams, Jr. (football/baseball 1957-61, posthumous), Roderick “Moo Moo” Blakney (basketball 1995-98), Donald Cooper (track & field/football 1992-97), Luther Dixon ((football 1974-77), Robert Hemby, Sr. (football 1968-72), Joseph “Joe” Montford (football 1989-93), Bobby Moore (football 1975-78), David Lee Norman (football 1982-85), Arthur Prescott (football 1975-78), and Arthur Snipe (basketball 1976-80).
The 1988-89 basketball team, which was 25-8 under Cy Alexander, was the first Bulldog squad to capture an MEAC tournament title and an NCAA Div. I playoff berth, while the 1990-91 women's volleyball team gave the school its only title in the sport, under then-head coach Charlene Johnson, currently the athletics director at the school.
Banquet tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for children 15 years old and under. A table for 10 is $450. Please call 803-536-8659 for ticket information.
The 2010 Class:
DR. THOMAS LEE ADAMS, JR – Football (baseball) 1957-61 – Florence, SC 2010 (deceased)
Lettered three years in football and two years in baseball…First Team All-SIAC at running back in 1960 when he led the Bulldogs in scoring…Also captained the 1960 football squad…MVP honors in football in 1959 & 1960…MVP honors in baseball in 1960 and 1961…After earning his degree from SC State in 1962, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the US Army and went on to a 20-year decorated military career while starring on the US Army's 25th Infantry Division football team…Earned his master's from the University of Maryland (1972) and a Ph. D from the University of Pittsburgh (1977) …Was among the first African Americans to officiate an NFL football contest on national television…Was inducted into the Florence County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006...Died in 1982 at age 42.
RODERICK “Moo Moo” BLAKNEY – Basketball 1995-98 – Hartsville, SC/Europe (2010).
Ranks among the greatest players (1995-98) in SC State basketball history...remains one of the most prolific scorers ever with 1716 points...Led team in scoring in 1996-97 (23.4 ppg) and 1997-98 (20.7ppg)...Averaged 19.5 ppg during his career...was also one of the best rebounding guards in school history with 456...#1 in the modern era in assists with 346...Earned All-Rookie Honors in 1995-96 while leading Bulldogs to the MEAC Championship and NCAA tournament berth...Also led team to an MEAC Championship and NCAA tournament berth in 1997-98...set a single-game assists record with 11 against eventual NCAA Champion Kentucky in 1997-98...All-MEAC two years...MEAC Player of the Year (1996-97), John McClendon Award recipient for top player in HBCU twice...All-American twice...Is enjoying a stellar career at guard in the European League.
DONALD COOPER – Track & Field (1992-96)/Football (1994-97) – Swainsboro, GA/Daytona Beach, FL (2010)
Was a two-sport standout for the Bulldogs, earning All-MEAC honors in both track and field and football during his SC State career (1992-97)...Track: SCSU Most Outstanding Freshman and an USA Jr. National Qualifier, 1993; SCSU Team MVP, MEAC Outstanding Performer (MEAC Championship), MEAC Champion in both the 110/400-meter hurdles, 19954; SCSU Co-MVP, set school record in 110 and 60-meter hurdles, 1995; school record holder in the 60-MH and 400 MH (1996-2007); Co-MVP, Jet Johnson Award, NCAA Qualifier in 110 MH, US Olympic Trials Qualifier, Track and Field News Top 50, 1996. Football: Earned three letters...was a starter at cornerback two seasons...member of 1994 MEAC Championship and Heritage Bowl Champion team...Participant in the Walter Reed All-Star Classic, SCSU Most Valuable Defensive Back...Undrafted Free Agent New Orleans Saints ('97)...SCSU Assistant Track and Field Coach 2007-09...Also served as an assistant at Savannah State and Fort Valley State...Presently Head Track Coach at Bethune-Cookman.
LUTHER DIXON – Football 1974-77 – Born in Jamaica, West Indies/Raised in Brooklyn, NY/Lives in Atlanta, GA (2010)
Was a four-year starter on the offensive line…Showed his versatility by starting at tackle, guard and center during his career…Was an All-MEAC honorable mention as a sophomore and followed with All-MEAC first-team honors, JET Magazine All-America accolades and All-NAIA honors as a junior…Earned All-State and SBN All-America honors as a senior…Also earned MVP offensive lineman honors on the Bulldogs' 1976 National Black College National Championship Team that finished 10-1…MEAC and Palmetto State Lineman of the Week several times during his career…Is now retired (disability).
ROBERT HEMBY, SR—Football 1968-1972 – Brooklyn NY/Orangeburg, SC (2006)
A four-year letterman as a defensive back for the Bulldogs…Intercepted sixteen passes during his career, including three in one half against Morgan State in 1971…Played in the first annual Black College East/West All Star Game and had one interception… Signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972…has had three sons to play football for STATE -- Robert II, who played quarterback and defensive back; Ryan, who played defensive back; and Russell, who played quarterback and defensive back…Has been a longtime educator in the Orangeburg community.
JOSEPH “Joe” MONTFORD – Football 1989-93 – Beaufort, NC/Powder Springs, GA (2010)
Was an outstanding linebacker for SC State during his career (1989-93)...Earned three letters, All-MEAC and All-America honors...Earned All-MEAC and MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1993 when he led the Bulldogs in tackles with 131...Also reaped All-America honors from SBN, Associated Press and Pittsburgh Courier in 1993...Went on to a stellar 12-year career in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where was one of the most dominant defensive players with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos...Led the league in sacks four years, was a three-time recipient of the CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, a five-time East Division All-Star and a five-time CLF All-Star selection...Helped Hamilton and Edmonton reach the Grey Cup Game (like the NFL's Super Bowl) in 1998 and 2005, respectively...Was named to the SC State Centennial Football Team in 2007.
BOBBY MOORE – Football 1975-78 – Aiken, SC (2010)
Four-year letterman in football 1975-78…Earned All-MEAC honors three times (1976-78) and was among the Bulldog leaders in several defensive categories…As a senior (1978), he was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and also earned All-America and All-State accolades…Also earned team's “Best Defensive Lineman Award…Was part of an SC State defense in 1975 which allowed only 29 points in the regular season, an NCAA record that still endures…Other accolades included “Jet” Magazine Player of the Week, Participant in the Black College All-Star Game (1978)…Signed as a free-agent with the Oakland Raiders of the NFL in 1979…Was named to the SC State Centennial Football Team in 2007…Has served as a teacher and coach in the Burke (Ga.) County School System the past few years.
DAVID LEE NORMAN—Football 1982-85 – Lincolnton, GA/Orangeburg, SC (2008)
Was a starting wide receiver and kick returner for the Bulldogs three seasons…Set then-school records for receptions in a game (9), season (45) -- both coming in 1985 – and career (75) in 1984 & 1985)…Earned All-MEAC first team selection as a kick returner in 1984…Was a second-team All-MEAC selection as a wide receiver in 1985…Was MVP in the Coca Cola Black College All-Star Classic in 1985…Played three seasons as a wide receiver with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League for three seasons (1985-87)…Coached football, baseball and basketball on the high school level for 16 years…Is actively involved in a number of civic, community and youth activities.
ARTHUR PRESCOTT – Football 1975-78 – Augusta, GA
Was a four-year (1975-78) starter on the Bulldog offensive line...Earned four letters...Earned the team's Best Offensive Lineman Award as a junior and senior...Was one of two players on team to earn “Super Bulldog Status” in Weight-Training Competition...All-MEAC two years...All-State two years...Mutual Black Network All-American and Pittsburgh Courier All-American, 1978; A participant in the 1978 Black College All-Star Classic...Signed a free-agent contract with the Oakland Raiders of the NFL in 1979 and was a free agent with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League in 1980...Was named to the SC State Centennial Football Team in 2007.
ARTHUR SNIPE – Basketball 1976-80 – Mt. Pleasant, SC/Irmo, SC
Was a standout on the basketball court for four seasons (1976-80) at SC State...Ranked among the nation's top rebounders during his career...Led SC State in rebounds in 1978-79 (8.6 rpg.) and 1979-80 (9.4 rpg.)...Also averaged double-figure scoring most of his career with a high average of 16.2 peg. as a senior...Was an All-MEAC first-team selection three seasons (1978-80) and was named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 1980...Went on to a solid career in Fourth Street Semi-Pro League with the Venture Raiders...Also had a standout high school career earning All-Region Honors twice and All-Star accolades as a senior at Wando High School. Currently employed as Expectations Coach on the elementary school level...Has been involved in community and civic endeavors throughout his professional career.
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