Jeremy Anderson
Associate Editor
The greatest of the great athletes that have graced the campus of Jackson State University were honored on Oct. 2 as 11 Jacksonians were inducted into JSU’s Hall of Fame.
Rob Jay, the host of the event, sat down with each hall of famer, or representative of a hall of famer, to have a question and answer session about their experiences at JSU.
The first inductee was Willie “Doc” Barnes, head athletic trainer at JSU for over 30 years. Barnes reflected on his times at JSU with reverence and pride.
Radious Y. Guess was inducted for a spectacular track and field career at Jackson State. Guess, known as Radious Jacobs during her career at JSU, led the Lady Tigers in setting two world record times for women’s track and field in a one-mile relay and a distance medley.
“I’ve had so many wonderful career opportunities, and I know that it has so much to do with the work that I did here at Jackson State,” said Guess.
James “Big Cat” Harvey Jr. was a four-year letterman on the JSU football team from 1983-1986. The former offensive lineman is now a head football coach at Columbia High School and was not in attendance due to a Friday night game. In his absence, a former Columbia High School player read a speech written by Harvey.
“My life now is about trying to instill in young men the same things that I was taught will at JSU,” said Harvey in the letter.
Tameika Hill-Brown was inducted after a four-year basketball career at JSU. She started all four years at Jackson State including the 1994-1995 season when the JSU women’s basketball team won the SWAC championship.
Reflecting back on her time at JSU, Brown said that “I absolutely loved every minute, every hour, and every second that I was here at Jackson State University. And I think it was the best decision I could have made coming out of high school.”
Michelle Houston, also a basketball player at JSU, played from 1987-1991. She was awarded All-SWAC and All-American honors for her play for the Lady Tigers. Houston was also a SWAC champion in the 1990 season.
Anna Eatmon-Jonhson was inducted into the JSU Hall of Fame for a stellar basketball career as a Lady Tiger. Johnson was selected as an All-SWAC performer and Best Offensive Player for the Lady Tigers.
James Carl Marshall, a former writer for the Blue & White Flash, was a standout in both football and basketball, earning All-SWAC honors in both sports from 1970-1973. His stellar career landed him in Jackson State’s Hall of Fame. Marshall, who was originally in the band, was convinced by former Coach W.C. Gorden, to play football for the Tigers.
“If the Hall of Fame is supposed to be for the best athletes to walk these halls (Jackson State), then I belong,” said Marshall.
Louis Antonio McRae Sr., was a football player for Jackson State from 1959-1963. He was a part of a Jackson State team that won SWAC championships in 1961 and 1962. McRae passed away shortly after he was nominated.
Aubery Stewart ran track for Jackson State from 1973-1976. When Stewart came to Jackson State, there was no cross country team. So he decided to start the team himself. He did so, and never lost.
Charles “Red Rooster” Williams was a football player at Jackson State from 1974-1978. As a star defensive back for the Tigers, Williams was selected to both All-SWAC and All-American teams.
Deatrich Wendell Wise Sr. was the final inductee of the night. Wise, a Dean’s list scholar at Jackson State, was a part of three SWAC championship teams at JSU as well as JSU’s 1985 Black College National Championship team. He was also a 3-time All-SWAC performer.
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