Michael Strahan is already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and many others — but he will soon be in a new one. Strahan is a part of the latest Hall of Fame class at Texas Southern University.
The Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame, which was reinstated recently, has announced its first induction class since 1996 with the selection of 24 former student-athletes, coaches and contributors. The star-studded class features a mix of current professional, collegiate and statewide hall of famers in addition to trailblazers in the sports of baseball, bowling, softball, women’s basketball, volleyball and administration.
The Texas Southern University Sports Hall of Fame is an organization founded to promote a program of recognition for great athletes, coaches and supporters of the University Athletic Program. The organization works cooperatively with, and provides leadership for the administration of the University in a realization of basic beliefs and for improving the programs of intercollegiate athletics. The hope of the University is that the honorees will serve to keep alive the memories of the men and women who have brought fame and recognition to the University, City, State and Nation.
Dave Bethany, Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
Former head track & field coach at TSU for 27 years…won 46 SWAC Championships and 18-time SWAC Coach of the Year honors…claimed four men’s NAIA Championships and three NAIA titles…developed 20 Olympic athletes and 50 international competitors…founding President of the USATF Gulf Association.
Willie Ellison, Football
Eight-year NFL veteran at running back…SWAC Hall of Famer…1,000-yard single season rusher at TSU…held all-time TSU single-game rushing record.
Charlie Frazier, Men’s Track & Field
Former men’s track & field star…ran the 100-yard dash in a time of 9.4 and 20.8 in the 220… won the sprint medley (3:22.4) quarter-mile (41.2) and half-mile (124.4) relays at the Drake Relays…also played seven years in the NFL and was an AFL All-Star despite never playing football at TSU.
Dr. Kevin Granger, Sr., Men’s Basketball
Current Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at TSU…played from 1992-96 under Robert Moreland…1996 NCAA scoring leader with 27 points per game…number was retired in 2002…SWAC Hall of Famer… SWAC Freshman of the Year (1992), two-time Black College All-American, MVP of SWAC Tournament (1994) and was a member of two SWAC Tournament Championship Teams (1994 and 1995).
John “Doc” Harvey, Athletic Trainer
Served as TSU’s athletic trainer and sports medicine director for 41 years…has mentored numerous students over the course of his career who are currently serving in the profession…SWAC Hall Of Famer.
Karen Hawkins, Women’s Track & Field
As one of TSU’s Flying Tigers, she helped TSU win several SWAC Championships (1976 thru 1980)…in 1979-1980 she was awarded TSU’s Outstanding Athlete of the Year…1980 SWAC Champion and voted the Outstanding Performer and Outstanding Woman Performer… member of 1977-1979 AAU National Relay Team, which toured internationally… featured in Times Magazine for her Silver Medals in the 100 and 200 meters at the 1979 Spartakiad Games in Moscow, Russia.
Ernie Holmes, Football
Eighth-round NFL Draft pick…won two Super Bowls and earned all-pro honors…finished with 40 career sacks as a Steeler…earned All-SWAC honors in 1971.
Mike Holmes, Football
Two-time All-SWAC honoree…all-time TSU career interception leader with 20 picks…1973 NFL First Round Pick of the San Francisco 49ers…played in the NFL for several years and moved to the CFL and played wide receiver en route to being a CFL all-star with 3,725 career receiving yards.
Shonda Johnson, Volleyball
Two-time SWAC Volleyball MVP in 1990, ’91…won three SWAC Championships during a four-year span.
Homer Jones, Football
Football and track & field standout at TSU from 1959-62… member of the 1962 USA Track team…versatile player at both wide receiver and halfback as he led TSU in rushing in 1961 while also leading the team in receiving yards in 1960 and 1961…TSU won 24 games during his career as he played under head coach Alexander Durley…two-time pro bowler as his 4,845 receiving yards are the fifth most, and his 35 receiving touchdowns is still tied for the fifth most in New York Giants history…also credited as the father of modern touchdown celebrations as he was the first to spike the ball to the ground after a touchdown.
Robert Moreland, Men’s Basketball
Served 27 seasons as head coach of the TSU men’s basketball team… has more wins than any coach in the university’s history with 406…won five SWAC conference championships, two SWAC conference co-championships and three SWAC tournament championships… five-time SWAC coach of the year, American wire service 1994 National Coach of the Year and 1994 & 1995 American Wire Service National Black College Champion… also coached three national scoring champions in Harry Kelly (2-times) and Kevin Granger….court was named after him inside the H&PE Arena in 2010.
Michael Strahan, Football
Pro Football Hall of Famer, SWAC Hall of Famer, Black College Hall of Famer…single season school record holder in sacks (19) and career record-holder with 41.5… Division I-AA Defensive Player of the Year…two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-SWAC member…was selected to the All-America first team by The Sheridan Network, Edd Hayes Black College Sports Report and the Associated Press as a senior…holds NFL single-season sack record, current host of Good Morning America and FOX NFL Sunday.
Nerissa Redo, Women’s Basketball
All-time TSU women’s basketball scoring leader with 2,221 points…led TSU to its first NAIA Tournament Appearance in 1981 as TSU fell in the championship game.