ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Seven former Mississippi Valley State University standouts will be inducted into the MVSU Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday during a banquet at the H.M. Ivy Cafeteria on the MVSU campus. The event is slated to start at 6 p.m. and tickets can purchased at the door for $40.
The inductees include: Pauline Banks, Stephanie Gardner, Robin Williams, Roy Hazzle, Rufus Williams, Albert Jo Williams and Larry Harmon.
Pauline Banks was named the Most Valuable Player at Greenwood High School in track and field for a three-year span from 1983-86. She was also a Big 8 champion in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in 1986. She continued her success at MVSU in 1987 by being selected All-SWAC in the 200 and 400 meter dash. She was also selected in 1987, 1989 and 1990 as the MVSU Most Valuable Player for Outdoor Track & Field. Banks was selected All-SWAC in the 400 meters in 1988-1990. She was All-SWAC in the 4x400 relay in 1990. During her employment at Jackson State University, she became the first woman selected as head coach for the track and field team in 2003. The JSU 4x400 relay team was selected NCAA Division I Mid-East All-Region Team. The 2008 and 2009 JSU indoor and outdoor track and field teams earned SWAC titles. Banks moved on with her trail blazing, becoming the first woman selected as head women's track and field coach at Texas Southern in 2009.
Stephanie Gardner arrived at MVSU in August 1991 and graduated May 1995 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology. Gardner was an electrifying standout in basketball at Valley from 1991-95. She was selected as the best Freshman Women's Basketball Player during the 1991-92 season. She was also a major force in helping the Devilettes win the SWAC Tournament Championship in 1993. Gardner was chosen as the Most Valuable Defensive Player following the 1993-94 season and the Most Outstanding Offensive Player after the 1994-95 season. She averaged 17.1 points, 3.1 steals and 3.5 assists per game. She was a member of the 1995 SWAC All-Tournament Team. Gardner is now employed at the Emory Clinic-Emory Healthcare Center. She is a highly-motivated professional with more than 10 years of service in management, project planning, process improvement, and consumer relations in healthcare operations.
Robin Williams is currently an instructor of Health and Physical Education and a seasonal recreational coordinator at MVSU. She also coached volleyball and basketball at the middle and high school levels in Jackson, Miss. Williams graduated from Solano Community College before arriving at MVSU where she obtained a bachelor of science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She continued her studies at Jackson State University where she earned a Master's of Science in Education and a Master's of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a specialist in Education Leadership
(still in progress). At MVSU, Williams was tabbed Newcomer of the Year in 2003 and Scholar-Athlete of the MVSU women's basketball team in 2004. She was
recognized as a top female senior scholar athlete by the Jackson State University Department of Military in 2004.
Roy Hazzle was a teacher and coach for 36 years in the Aberdeen School District where he taught physical education and coached football, baseball, basketball
and track and field. Hazzle, who also served as athletic director, received numerous awards including Coach of the Year. He was voted National Coach of the Year in 2008. He racked up over 600 wins in 26 seasons in basketball and numerous championships at the county, district and state levels. The high school gymnasium at Aberdeen was named, "Roy E. Hazzle Gymnasium." Hazzle arrived at Valley in 1974 and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He was one of Valley's greatest outfielders and was voted MVP twice and considered one of the top players in the SWAC. Following his time at MVSU, he had a short stint in pro baseball in Portland, Ore. He is currently working part-time as a deputy for the Monroe County Sherrif Dept. He is also the director of the Razzle Dazzle Boys Basketball Camp, which he started in 1995.
Rufus Williams graduated from Henderson High School in Starkville, MS in 1967. He went on to earn his Bachelor's of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from MVSU in 1971. Williams continued his graduate work at Jackson State University and the Unviersity of Southern Mississippi. In the mid-1980s, he earned a master's of education and a certificate in Educational Administration from Delta State University. At MVSU, he was named Rookie of the Year in 1967 and was tabbed All-SWAC each year from 1967-71. Williams went on to play in the Word Football League and the Continental Professional Football League. Williams' career as a teacher started in 1972 at North Pike County High School as a teacher, assistant football and baseball coach and head track and field coach. In 1978, he moved on to Greenville High School where he served as a teacher and coach for eight years before taking his talents to Delta State University as a instructor and assistant football coach. He served as assistant principal at several schools including O'Bannon High School in Greenville, Miss.; Callaway High School in Jackson, Miss.; and principal of Lanier High School in Jackson, Miss. In 1996, Williams received the Jackson Public School District Golden Achievement Award.
Albert Jo Williams played football at MVSU from 1962-64 after transferring from Xavier University. Williams graduated from Fountain High School in 1958. He played at Xavier University for one year before following his head coach to, then, Mississippi Vocational College. His most unforgettable moment while playing in Itta Bena was when he caught a pass for a touchdown on a heavily-fogged night against Alcorn State. The president of MVSU requested to meet with Williams following the victory and praised him for his peformance on and off the field. After graduating from MVSU, he took a job in Mendenhall, Miss. as a teacher and coach. However, after a near-fatal accident, Williams became incapaciated for several years. After his recovery, he was hired by the State of Mississippi under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation where he helped individuals with disabilities obtain certifications, high school diplomas, college degrees and to gain employment. He loved and supported Valley for all his life, before passing in May 1983.
Larry Harmon graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1976 and went on to play baseball and football at MVSU. He earned a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from MVSU in 1981 before getting a Master's degree in Educational Leadership in 1997 from the University of Mississippi. Harmon worked in the education field for 32 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and director. Harmon, who previously worked at the Durant Attendance
Center and Kosciusko High School, currently serves as Director of Alternative Programs for the Tupelo School District. As an assistant football coach for 19 years, his teams amassed a 163-67 record, playing in three state championship games -- winning the 1992 Class 5A state championship while at Tupelo High School. In his 19-year tenure, his teams made the playoffs 17 times.
Harmon also served as the head baseball coach. He finished his career with a 509-144 record. In 19 years as the head baseball coach, his teams won 16
division championships, five North State championships and a pair of Class 5A state titles in 1992-93. He was named the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Coach of the Year and the Clarion Ledger Coach of the Year, along with 1993 Region VI National Coach of the Year. He was selected to the NEMC ABB Hall of
Fame in 1994.
COURTES MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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