Richardson,
Stevenson and Casem Slated for Hall of Fame Induction
April 25, 2003
The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame has
announced, the Divisional Hall of Fame Class for 2003,
which includes
players and coaches from NCAA Divisions I-AA, II, III, and
the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.) Three
representatives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
have been selected for induction
during ceremonies at the Hall, August 8-9, in South Bend, Indiana.
Willie Richardson,
Jackson State University,
End,
1959-62 With soft hands and blazing speed, Willie Richardson was never
shy in showing his big play potential in each of his four seasons
at Jackson State University. Arguably the greatest receiver
to play for the Tigers, he joins the immortal Walter Payton
as the only College Football Hall of Fame members from the
school.
In 1962, Richardson shattered the single-season NCAA record
for receiving yards while leading the nation with 1,229. A
First Team All-America selection, he was named MVP in both
the North-South All-Star Game and the All-American Bowl.
For four straight seasons, Richardson led the conference in
receiving, earned All-Conference recognition, and was ranked
in the top 15 nationally in pass receptions. Among the numerous
school records he broke, his 3,616 receiving yards and 36 touchdown
receptions still top each category.
Following his graduation in 1963, Richardson went on to play
nine seasons for the Baltimore Colts, was named to the Pro
Bowl twice and started in Super Bowl III. Extremely active
in the community, Richardson is the current president of the
Central Mississippi Chapter of The National Football Foundation.
Other civic involvement includes membership with the NAACP
Hinds County Chapter, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America,
NFL Alumni Association and YMCA Board of Directors.
Ben Stevenson,
Tuskegee University,
Running Back,
1924-30
One of the game's great early players whose longevity
spurred the ruling that now limits a player's eligibility to
only four
years, Benjamin "Big Ben" Stevenson played many positions
supremely and is regarded by many as the school's finest player
ever.
Selected to seven consecutive Black College All-America teams
by the Pittsburgh Courier, Stevenson led the Golden Tigers
to instant success. In 1924, he led the team to a 9-0 record
and the school's first Black National Championship. In 1925,
Tuskegee outscored their opponents 224-6 for their second straight
perfect season and another national title. In all, Stevenson
led the school to six Black National Championships and a remarkable
69-1-6 record in seven seasons.
An all-round athlete, Stevenson led the team and the Southern
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in rushing, scoring, kicking
and interceptions from 1924-30. A talented runner, he broke
off 42 runs in his career of 50 yards or more. Equally dangerous
in the defensive backfield, Stevenson snatched 39 career interceptions.
Following graduation, Stevenson earned his Masters in guidance
and counseling before beginning a coaching career. For two
seasons, he coached football, track and baseball at Tuskegee
before moving on to coach the same at Booker T. Washington
High School in Houston, TX for 17 additional years. Stevenson
died in 1969.
Marino Casem,
Alabama State University, Alcorn State University, Southern
University,
1963, 1964-85, 1987-88, 1992, (
160-91-8)
Known as the "Godfather of the SWAC," Marino Casem
is regarded as one of college football's coaching greats and
premier athletic administrators.
After a short stint at Alabama State University, Casem came
to national prominence as the head coach at Alcorn State University.
For 22 years, he roamed the sidelines for the Braves, winning
seven Southwest Athletic Conference titles and seven Black
College National Championships. In 1984, Casem guided Alcorn
State to a perfect 9-0 regular season making his team first
in SWAC history to finish the year ranked #1 in the NCAA.
Alcorn State's all-time winningest coach, Casem was named
Black College National Coach of the Year and conference Coach
of the Year seven times. Following three final seasons at the
helm of Southern University, his 160 victories ranked him fifth
on the active coaches list.
In addition to leading Alcorn State to unprecedented football
heights, Casem served as their director of athletics for 20
years, a position he also held at Southern. His undying influence
on collegiate athletics has led to a number of impressive awards
and citations including the SWAC Hall of Fame, Alcorn State
Hall of Honor, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, National Football
Foundation Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award
and the Football Writers Association Citation of Honor.
