WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The Winston-Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce the eight individuals and two teams that will be enshrined into the 2016 Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Hall of Fame class. The eight inductees and two teams will be a part of the annual induction ceremony on Friday, Sept. 23, while concluding the ceremonial weekend by being honored during halftime of the Saturday, Sept. 24 football game against Virginia State at the Bowman Gray Stadium.

“To an athlete, coach or philanthropist, being enshrined into your university’s athletic hall of fame is reaching the mountaintop. There is no higher honor,” stated WSSU Director of Athletics, Tonia Walker. “On behalf of the entire WSSU Department of Athletics, congratulations to all inductees for reaching this milestone.”

“We preserve these individuals amongst the elite past and present hall of famers as we move to enhance the vision and growth of our future student-athletes,” said Winston-Salem State University Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame Chair, Robert Weeks. “Let this greatness not be forgotten by our hall of famers, faculty, staff, students and friends of this great university. We must remember our financial commitment and physical support of the Winston-Salem State University Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame.”

2016 WSSU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

*Beaufort O. Bailey (Meritorious Services): Beaufort O. Bailey was a Media Specialist for 35 years at WSSU, and elementary teacher for 10 years. Bailey is a member of the Educational Media Association, National Commissioners Association, Member of the School Board of Forsyth County for 12 years (first African American to be elected), Forsyth County Community college Board Trustee (16 years), Forsyth County Commissioner (eight years) and WSSU Alumni President (eight years).

*Dr. L’Tanya Joy Bailey (MeritoriousServices): Dr. Bailey, an orthodontist in private practice, established the Dr. L’Tanya Bailey Endowed Scholarship Fund, and is the former Board Chair of the WSSU Board of Visitors. She is a major donor and supporter of WSSU, and her entire family are WSSU alums. Dr. Bailey is a season tick-et holder (football), and is a supporter of WSSU Athletics through its HORN$ Giving Club.

*Shannon G. Davis (Softball/Bowling): Shannon Davis earned the WSSU Softball Hustle Award (2002), Named First-Team All-CIAA for Softball (2002), and Named Women’s Bowling Rookie of the year as well as Most Valuable player (2003). She was also named the WSSU 2004 Woman of the Year, as well as being named then NCAA Woman of the Year for the State of North Carolina in that same year.

Davis was a co-captain for both the softball and bowling teams, as well as being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society.

Shannon Davis holds memberships in the NCAA Circle of Female Athletes, Police Athletic League, Sacred Heart Catholic Church and is a Program Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

*Terry Griffin (Meritorious Services): Terry Griffin is a life member Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., life member Winston-Salem State University National Alumni Association, Vice President of the Kannapolis African American Cultural Museum, and a member of the WSSU Heritage Society.Griffin is a Board Member of WSSU Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the WSSU Hall of Fame Committee, Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach and a Winston-Salem Open volunteer.

Griffin established the Yvette & Terry Scholarship and established a Tennis Fundraising Committee for WSSU Women’s Tennis.

*Bethel Johnson Burton (Meritorious Services): A retired educator, Bethel Johnson Burton is a WSSU National Alumni Association life member, as well as the founder and first president of the Chicago Alumni Chapter. Burton is also a Chicago Teacher’s Union Representative, Harold Washington Campaign Organizer, UNCF Telethon Organizer, Obama Community Organizer, and has been cited four times – for the highest test scores in her school. Burton is also a Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Unsung Hero – founder and chairperson.

Burton is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., CEO of Scholar Bright 2000 and Choir President – Mt. Olive Community Church in Chicago, Ill.

*Walter Marshall (Meritorious Services): Walter Marshall, a retired educator, was a three-year letterman in football.

Marshall holds membership with the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. He is a former member of the Forsyth County School Board and past chair of the NAACP, Winston-Salem local chapter.

Walter Marshall is a lifetime financial supporter of WSSU Athletics.

*James I. “Buck” Mitchell (Basketball): James I. “Buck” Mitchell was a walk-on player who earned a four-year scholarship under the leadership of coach Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines. Mitchell went on to be a four-year letterman, named Defensive Player of the Year, as well as being an All-CIAA performer.

Mitchell was a 1984 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Information Systems, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Mitchell is an owner of One Man Maintenance Home Improvements. He served as loan officer at Baldwin Mortgage from 2009-10, and was also a CEVA logistics account representative from 2009-11.

*Cory Williams (Football): Cory Williams was a four-year letterman, four-year starter, two-time All-CIAA selection and a two-time CIAA Champion.Williams is a member of the Mecklenburg County Family Law Facilitator, NC State Bar, Mecklenburg and Union County Bar Association.

*1960-61 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAM 

(Basketball) Head Coach – Clarence E. “BigHouse” Gaines
The 1960-61 men’s basketball team was the first in program history to win and advance twice during the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Prior to the outstanding cap to the season, the squad won the Christmas Tournament Championship, the 1961 CIAA Tournament title and at the time, the only CIAA team to defeat Tennessee State University.