From Leaders to Legends: Celebrating the 2024 JSU Sports Hall of Fame class

On October 18, 2024, Jackson State University honored the 2024 class of its Sports Hall of Fame. Fourteen men and women were inducted in front of an auditorium of family, friends, and well-wishers. 

The Master of Ceremonies was the very popular radio personality Robert “Rob Jay” Jeuitt. Also participating in the program were noted alumni and hall of famers, including Chris Burkett, Hall of Famer and Board Member; VP and Athletics Director Ashley Robinson; Jimmy Smith, Hall of Famer and Board Member; Mario Kirksey, Hall of Famer and Board Chairman; Hall of Famer Robert Brazile; and Dr. Tamika Bradley, Hall of Famer and Board Member. 

Music was provided by the JSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. David Ware; the Sonic Boom of the South, with Dr. Roderick Little directing the band; Ms. Danielle Mickens directing the cheer leaders; and by the Jazz Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. David Ware.

After dinner, the awards were made, being presented by Jeuitt, Kirksey, Robinson, and Brazile. Each honoree was able to speak for a few minutes. 

The 12 awardees are:

• Tim Barnett, a football player, grew up in Los Angeles, CA and Gunnison, MS. He had a spectacular tenure at JSU where he and Jimmy Smith were a dual threat. Barnett had 17 receiving touchdowns in just two years. After JSU, he spent three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs as a wide receiver.

• Richard Bradley Jr., a basketball player, who while at JSU led the team to a Southwest Athletics Conference (SWAC) championship as a first-team all-conference player in 2000. He went on to coach at JSU and Murrah High School.

• Michael Brooks, a baseball player, was born in Mound Bayou and grew up in Shelby, MS. He earned a spot on the First Team All-SWAC and was named Pitcher of the Year, finishing with an impressive 18 wins and 5 losses and more than 200 strikeouts in two years. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos and spent three and a half seasons in the Major Leagues.

• LaToya Clark, a volleyball player, was born in Tallahassee FL. She was a part of the team that brought JSU its first SWAC championship. While at JSU, she was honored as SWAC Woman of the Year, JSU Academic Award, JSU Unsung Hero, SWAC First All Team Conference, and three times JSU Most Valuable Player. She remains JSU’s All-Time Assists Leader, with 5335.

• TOMMIE DENNIS, a runner, was born in Augusta GA. While at JSU, he tied the U.S. indoor record for the 60-meter dash (5.9 seconds). He set the 100-meter record (10 seconds). He established the 200-meter record (20.6 seconds). He contributed to the 4×100 relay team, which still holds the JSU record at 39.5 seconds.

• CEPHUS JACKSON, a football player, played at JSU from 1964-1968. During his senior year, he served as defensive captain and earned All-SWAC honors. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and later played for the New Orleans Saints.

• EDDIE JAMES, a sports-caster and publicity person, was born in Vicksburg. Like the late Jobie Martin and Dr. Walter Reed, he has proven invaluable to the track and field and other programs. Well-known in local media circles, James has held roles in University Relations, Alumni Affairs, Sports Information, and the Development Foundation. He has been a notable personality as an Inside Press Box Announcer, and highly respected as a certified SWAC and JSU Sports Announcer for cross country, track and field, soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

• LARRY JONES, a football player, was born in Jackson. He was an integral part of the SWAC championship teams of 1971-1973. He served as captain in 1972 and 1973 and was recognized as a first-team All-SWAC center in 1972.

• JERRY KENNEDY, a track and field star, was born in Newton, MS and graduated from Heidelberg High School. His passion for track and field led him from there to JSU. At JSU he was a part of the championship teams from 1976-1979.

• RYAN LORTHRIDGE, a basketball player, grew up in Shelby, MS. He achieved the remarkable feat of being included in the 1000-Point Club, based on his exceptional shooting ability. His talent and dedication earned him recognition as a Pre-Season All-American. In 1994 he was honored as a First-Team All-SWAC Player and later as First-Team All-SWAC Tournament Player. He went on to play for the Golden State Warriors after graduating.

• SYLVESTER MORRIS JR., a football player, was born in New Orleans. As a wide receiver, he became JSU’s all-time leading receiver. His multiple records include most touchdown receptions in a game (5), most touchdown receptions in a year (17), and most reception yards in a year (1258). In 1998, Morris was recognized as the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and earned First-Time All-SWAC. He was voted as a first-team All-American for 1-AA by Burger King in his senior year. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he started in 13 of 15 games, recording 48 receptions for 678 yards before a career-ending injury.

• RANA SANDERS NELSON, a runner, was born in Greenville. She was dominant between 2009 and 2012, during which time she earned gold in both the 400- and 200-meter runs in the indoor and outdoor seasons at SWAC championships. She set a SWAC indoor 400-meter record (56.14 seconds), leading to her being named SWAC Freshman of the Year. She went on to win first place in every conference championship she competed in throughout her collegiate career.

• DEREK PERKINS, a football player, was raised in Mendenhall and Jackson. He excelled in his sport. He secured a spot on the All-SWAC team in 1979.

• LEON SHERROD, a football player, was from Wabbaseka, Arkansas. He started at JSU as a quarterback, but switched to wide receiver. At that position, he became the leading receiver in the conference. That year he was named to the First Team All-Conference team, the Pittsburgh Courier All-American team, and the Black Mutual Network All-American team.

• ROSE WASHINGTON, a volleyball coach, was born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Over a 23-year time span, she recorded 344 victories, 276 of them against SWAC opponents. She registered two SWAC Eastern Division titles in 2008 and 2010. In 2011, her teams went undefeated in SWAC play, winning another Eastern Division title and her first SWAC Tournament title. She repeated the feat in 2012.

The honorees were rightly proud to join the likes of Walter Payton, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Purvis Short, Sadie Magee, Tera Sheriff, Willie Richardson, Varetta Robinson, Lindsey Hunter, and Narah Oatis. The event was first-rate and will be long remembered by the participants, their family members – old and young, and all who have come to know these leaders who became legends. 

(Photos: Charles Smith)