Special to The Chronicle

The Winston-Salem State University C.E. “Big House” Gaines Hall of Fame will induct eight individuals and the 1977 CIAA championship-winning football team on Friday, Nov. 8 at the campus’ Anderson Conference Center. The inductees will also be feted on Nov. 9 during halftime of the WSSU versus Fayetteville State University football game at Bowman Gray Stadium.

“To an athlete, being enshrined into your university’s athletic hall of fame is reaching the mountaintop. There is no higher honor,” said WSSU Director of Athletics William “Bill” Hayes, who was the coach of the ’77 football squad. “On behalf of the entire WSSU Department of Athletics, congratulations to all inductees for reaching this milestone.”

Here are this year’s inductees:

• Lesley Barley Jr. (1997) earned NCAA DII Freshman All-American honors in 1986, and earned All-CIAA honors in 1988 and 1989, all while being named the Rams football team captain.

• Mosé Belton (1972) will be honored for meritorious service. The local insurance agent is a well-known contributor.

• Billy R. Diggs (1979), an operator with Luxfer Gas Cylinders, was a four-year letterman in both football and basketball during his tenure at Winston-Salem State.

• Kelvin Farmer (1986)  was a member of the 1982-1983 football team and has been associated with the university ever since.

• Martin Hicks (2006) is a Winston-Salem firefighter who was a four-year letterman and three-time All-CIAA running back for WSSU.

• Ralph Jones (1973) was a member of the WSSU basketball team under Coach “Big House” Gaines (1969-1972). He averaged 14.2 points per game.

• Steve Lindsay (1972) was a four-year letterman and co-captain of the 1971 Southern Division Football Championship team.