Delta State University

CLEVELAND – Induction into the Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame, it’s the highest honor a former Statesman or Lady Statesman student-athlete can receive. On Friday, March 27, the DSU Sports Hall of Fame will welcome seven new members into the fold, while the DSU Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame opens its doors to two former coaching greats at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to be held at Walter Sillers Coliseum. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. following a reception at 5:30 p.m.

The 2009 Sports Hall of Fame class includes: Matt Baity (Swimming & Diving), Pam Lockett (Women’s Basketball), Brad Longino (Men’s Basketball), Dennis Raines (Football), Judson Thigpen (Baseball), Mitch Terrell (Football), and Mandy Foster Mixon (Softball). 

Tickets to the event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  For more information, please contact coach Bill Marchant at (662) 846-4565.

The 2009 Sports Hall of Fame class represents a diverse cross section of the 13 intercollegiate sports sponsored by Delta State. The eight DSU Sports Hall of Fame inductees includes a decorated swimmer, one of the most dominant rebounders in Lady Statesmen basketball history, a men’s basketball scoring machine, two of the top pitchers ever to perform for the baseball and softball programs, and three gridiron greats. All told, the eight inductees helped deliver two national championships, six conference titles, and 13 all-conference and all-American accolades.

Baity swam for the Statesmen from 1990-1993, earning All-Conference honors each of his four years, as well as All-Conference Academic honors. He was a team captain as both a junior and a senior, and set six different records, including the Delta State record in the 50-meter freestyle.

Lockett led the Lady Statesmen basketball team to the 1989 and 1990 National Championships during her four-year career, spanning from 1987-1990. She was a two-time All-GSC selection, and was named the 1989 Finals Tournament MVP. She ranks first at Delta State with 232 blocked shots, sixth with 1,007 rebounds, and eighth with 1,577 points.

Longino was a four-year letter winner for coach Steve Rives on the hardwood, and was twice named to the All-GSC team. During his career, which spanned from 1990-1993, he shot 82.4-percent from the free-throw line (1st), made 174 three-point shots (2nd), stole the ball 134 times (5th), and scored 1,219 points (10th).

Raines was a defensive lineman for the Statesmen from 1973-1976. He was a two-time All-GSC selection, finishing his career with 112 tackles, 12 sacks, seven forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Thigpen played baseball for the Statesmen from 1975-1978, and is known as the first relief specialist in Delta State history. At the end of his career, he held records for appearances in a season, 21, and career appearances, 52. In 1978, his 2.39 ERA was a team best. He also pitched in the NCAA Division II College World Series in 1977 and 1978, leading his club to the championship game in 1978. He was also chosen to represent Team USA in a series against Mexico before being drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

Terrell was “Mr. Everything” for the Statesmen football team from 1963-1965. The 1964 team co-captain and MVP played wide receiver, running back, defensive back, and returned punts and kickoffs. His 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against Arkansas State still ranks fourth in Delta State history. Terrell went on to play professional football for the Minnesota Vikings.

Foster Mixon is still regarded as one of the best players to ever pick up a softball at Delta State. During her four-year career from 1995-1998, right-handed hurler won 78 games (2nd), with a 1.39 ERA (1st), and 925 strikeouts (1st) in 720 innings (2nd). She was a three-time All-GSC selection, and was named the 1997 Co-GSC Player of the Year. She holds three career records at Delta State, and her 295 strikeouts in a single-season remain the level of measure.

This year’s Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame class includes the legendary Horace McCool, who directed the Statesmen football program to a record 76 wins, and A.C. Williams, whose coaching career included over 775 victories in baseball and basketball at coaching stops in Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

Each year, the Delta State University Athletic Alumni Association recognizes a former student-athlete who has made a significant contribution to his or her alma mater with the Distinguished Statesman Award. This year’s recipient is former Statesmen football player Jerry Sullivan. Sullivan transferred to DSU from Florida State in 1966. After graduating, Sullivan began his coaching career at Vicksburg High. For 17 seasons, the Miami, Fla., native patrolled the sidelines at Kansas State, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana State, and Ohio State, and for the past 18 years, Sullivan has coached in the NFL with San Diego, Detroit, Arizona, and San Francisco.

Plaques recognizing the careers of the eight inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame will be on display for the next two years at Chadwick-Dickson Fieldhouse inside the Bob M. Dearing Hall of Fame Room. The Dearing Hall of Fame Room is open for visitors Monday-Friday from 8-4 p.m.