Above: Top row, from left: Wayne Rodolfich, Alumni Hall of Fame honoree for the Perkinston Campus; Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC President. Bottom row, from left: Nell Murray, Sam Owen Trophy awardee; E. Colette Towles, Alumni Hall of Fame honoree from the Jefferson Davis Campus; and Vivian Lee Walker Dailey, the Alumni Hall of Fame honoree from the Jackson County Campus.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College honored the 2015 Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees at a dinner and ceremony held at the IP Casino and Resort in Biloxi on Thursday, October 22. Eleven honorees were selected for the Alumni Hall of Fame, Sam Owen Award, Athletic Hall of Fame, Spirit of Gulf Coast and Bulldog Hall of Honor. Honorees will also be recognized during a cookout and pep rally on Homecoming Day, October 24, and during pre-game activities that afternoon.

Alumni Hall of Fame

Wayne Rodolfich of St. Martin
September 1985 – May 9, 1989
Perkinston Campus

Wayne V. Rodolfich of St. Martin was a running back on George Sekul’s 1986 football team. That year, the Mississippi Junior College football coaches awarded him All-State Honorable Mention. He has been the superintendent of education for the Pascagoula-Gautier School District since 2005. During his tenure, the school district has won America’s Promise -100 Best Communities for Young People for three consecutive years and was named the Mississippi Kids Count Model Program for addressing teen pregnancy in 2010.  He is a graduate of Leadership Jackson County; was named a South Mississippi Outstanding Business Leader, Class of 2010; was awarded the National Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Recovery in 2009; was named Administrator of the Year for 2008 by the Mississippi Educational Computing Association; won the PREPS Economic Development/Community Partnership Award in 2011; and is a seven-time Mississippi School Public Relations Golden Medallion Award winner.

Colette Towles of Gulfport
1981-1983
Jefferson Davis Campus

Colette Towles of Gulfport has been the owner of Towles Law Firm since 2011. She previously served as an associate and partner with Allen, Cobb, Hood & Atkinson. She specializes in insurance, litigation and family law. Receiving her Associate of Arts degree from the Jefferson Davis Campus in 1983, Towles received her bachelor’s degree in English and political science from The University of Mississippi. She received her juris doctorate from The University of Mississippi Law School in 1989. She has served as secretary of the Harrison County Bar Association, president and secretary of Harrison County Young Lawyer’s Association, and as a member of the Board of Directors for Mississippi Bar Association – Young Lawyers’ Division. She is an elected Fellow of the Mississippi Bar and currently serves as a commissioner for the Gulfport Planning Commission. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Jenny Sue Ashley Legacy Foundation at USM, and in 2012, founded Betty’s Kids – Back Pack Blessings, which currently provides weekly meals to hundreds of needy children in 12 schools in South Mississippi.

Vivian Lee Walker Dailey of Gautier
June 1966-August 1967
Jackson County Campus

Vivian Lee Walker Dailey of Gautier attended classes at the Jackson County Campus during the summer, fall, spring and summer semesters in 1966-1967, successfully completing her core curriculum.  She and her future husband, Larry, both attended MGCCC. She transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi and received her Bachelor of Science degree in August 1969. She taught in Moss Point and Oceans Springs before moving to Houston, where she received her master’s degree in sociology from the University of Houston. She also completed a master’s degree in educational leadership from UH and did post-graduate work at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Dailey is currently a consultant with Education Resources LLC. She is a member of the Gautier Historic Preservation Commission, Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society, Gautier Election Commission, and Gautier Library Advisory Board. She is secretary for the Gautier Mullet and Music Festival; was the 2014 president of the Anola Club, Gautier Civitan Club and Gautier Garden Club; and is the 2015 vice president of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women.

Sam Owen Trophy

Nell Murray of Perkinston
Perkinston Campus
1963-1965

The Sam Owen Trophy is an honor bestowed since 1956 to a community member who has actively supported the college and its ongoing mission to make a positive difference.

Nell Murray is a 1965 Perkinston Junior College graduate. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and a master’s degree in business administration from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Before coming to MGCCC as Title III coordinator in 1981, the McHenry native spent 10 years in the Business and Economic Research Department at USM and later taught at the USM College of Business Marketing. At MGCCC, she served in a multitude of positions, including Institutional Research and Academic Affairs administrator, interim vice president of Instructional Affairs, vice president of both Institutional Relations and Development, and the first administrator of Community Campus.  She retired from MGCCC in 1997.

Murray is a grant writer and consultant on local projects, including economic and real estate development, tourism, county, and education. She has served on the   MGCCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2002 (president 2006-2008), the Stone County Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors since 2002 (chair 2001-2004); the USM College of Business’ Business Advisory Council; and Accelerate to 2060 Strategic Plan (co-chair).

She and her husband, Hilton, live in Perkinston and have one daughter, Shanna Luke, and a granddaughter, Emily. Staunch supporters of the college, Murray’s father, Attis O’Neal, served on the college’s Board of Trustees during the development of the coast campuses, and he was awarded the Sam Owen Trophy in 1978.  Both of her brothers, her husband and her daughter all went to MGCCC, and she said the family is already urging Emily, now 13, to attend and play on the MGCCC tennis team.

Spirit of Gulf Coast

Delores Parker Sumrall of St. Martin
Perkinston Campus
August 1951-May 1952

The Spirit of Gulf Coast Award is bestowed on those individuals who have made significant personal and/or financial contributions in support of Bulldog athletics.

Delores Parker Sumrall was an MGCCC Board of Trustees member from January 1986 until her death on December 26, 2014. An alumna of the college, she attended the Perkinston Campus from August 1951 to May 1952.

Sumrall played guard on the Perkette basketball team and was named Honorable Mention in All-State Basketball for her season’s performance. She was also the captain of the campus intramural basketball team, was a 1951 Homecoming Maid and was the vice president of the Christian Council.

After leaving Perk, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Science degree in education from William Carey University.

During her 34-year career as a coach, teacher and administrator, she coached junior high basketball and track at St. Martin High School. The 1995 Dixie Bowl was dedicated to her in honor of her decades of commitment to the youth of the St. Martin community.  A lifelong resident of St. Martin, Sumrall served as assistant principal and principal at St. Martin Schools and as assistant superintendent of the Jackson County School District.

In 1999, Sumrall was elected as a member of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Board of Directors. She was elected Southern Region chairperson.

Athletic Hall of Fame

Top row, from left: Jan Brosh, Charles Sumrall, Denise Marque, family of Spirit of Gulf Coast honoree, Delores Sumrall; Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president; Vick Ballard, Athletic Hall of Fame honoree for football; Nic Ishee, Athletic Hall of Fame honoree for golf. Bottom row, from left: Bonita Favre, wife of Athletic Hall of Fame honoree for baseball, Irvin Ernest Favre; Shirley Reeves Sanders, Bulldog Hall of Honor awardee; and Dinkey Evans, Athletic Hall of Fame honoree for football.

 

Vick Ballard of Pascagoula
Football
2008-2010

In 2008, the Bulldogs won the South Division championship, the state championship and the inaugural Mississippi Bowl. During that season, Vick Ballard of Pascagoula rushed for 555 yards and made 12 touchdowns. He was named to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) South Division All-State Second Team as a running back.

In 2009, Ballard helped the Bulldogs win the South Division championship and was named to the MACJC South Division All-State First Team Offense, MACJC Most Valuable Running Back, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Region 23 Offensive Squad and NJCAA First Team All-American, and received the MGCCC Leading Rushing Award. That same year, Ballard made six MGCCC football records that remain records in 2015 – Most Yards Gained Rushing – 1,728 yards; Most Touchdowns Rushing – 22; Most Touchdowns Rushing in a Single Game – 5; Most Points Scored in a Season – 132; Most Points Scored in a Single Game – 30; and Most (MGCCC) Career Touchdowns – 34.

Ballard, elected Mr. Perkinston Campus his sophomore year, played for Mississippi State 2010-2012. In 2011, he was named Second Team All-Southeastern Conference Squad, and in 2012, was invited to play in the Senior Bowl. During his senior year at MSU,  he totaled 17 touchdowns while rushing for 940 yards and compiling 522 receiving yards. His 186 points scored at MSU rank fifth on the school’s all-time records list, while his 2,157 rushing yards rank 10th in school annals.

He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts on April 28, 2012.

Charles Michael “Mike” Noblitt of Pascagoula
Basketball
1963-1965

Charles Michael “Mike” Noblitt of Pascagoula was a starting guard on Coach Bob Weathers’ basketball team and was a member of the team that won Weathers’ second South Division championship and first state championship in 1964.

In 1964-1965, he was named co-captain of the team.  On December 9, 1964, he scored 13 points in the 64-57 defeat of The University of Southern Mississippi freshmen to regain the Pre-Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament crown lost the year before.

After graduation, Noblitt attended Mississippi College, 1965-1967, playing point guard both seasons and led the team in scoring during his senior year.

Noblitt began coaching in 1967 at Okolona High School and also taught and coached at George County, Pascagoula, Union, Crystal Springs and Vancleave high schools. During his 20 years of coaching, he held a record of 368 wins, District and South State championships, and state playoffs. He was awarded Coach of the Year and Teacher of the Year on several occasions. He was named transportation and athletic director before entering administration in 1993 as principal of Vancleave High School. He retired in 2000 as assistant superintendent of Jackson County Schools.

Irvin Ernest Favre of Gulfport
Baseball
1963-1965

Irvin Ernest Favre, a Gulfport native, played on the PJC football team during 1963-1964. His record for most interceptions in one game (3 against Co-Lin in 1964) remains on the list in second place in 2015. In 1964, he pitched the game against Southwest on April 29, winning the South Division championship for MGCJC.

In 1965, the Bulldog baseball team won every conference game, taking the South Division championship, in large part thanks to Favre’s pitching.

Favre, named Most Athletic in the college yearbook, also met his wife, Bonita French, at Perk. After graduation from MGCJC, Favre attended The University of Southern Mississippi, lettering in baseball in 1966 and 1967.

Favre coached baseball at St. John High School, leading the team to the 10970 Class BB state championship. From 1972-1993, he coached football at Hancock North Central, making the state playoffs four times, winning two district titles, and playing in five bowl games.

All three of his sons (Scott, Jeff and Brett) played quarterback under their father. Brett became a legendary professional football player for the Green Bay Packers.

In 2001-2002, Favre coached the Mississippi Fire Dogs, an indoor professional football team, winning championships in both years.

On December 21, 2003, Favre passed away at the age of 58. In 2008, MGCCC and the Island View Casino teamed up to sponsor the inaugural Irvin Favre Showcase Golf Classic. That same year, he was inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame.

Nicholas Ryan “Nic” Ishee of Laurel
Golf
2008-2010

During Nicholas Ryan “Nic” Ishee’s time at MGCCC, he was named MACJC First Team All-State (2009) and Second Team All-State (2010). The Laurel native was also selected as NJCAA All-Region 23 (2009) and First team NJCAA All-American (2010), finishing fifth in the nation. During the 2009 season, MGCCC’s golf team was the MACJC state runner-up and won the NJCAA Region 23 championship.

In the NJCAA National Tournament, the team finished ninth. The 2010 MGCCC golf team won the MACJC State and NJCAA Region 23 championships and finished eighth in the NJCAA National Tournament.

After graduating from MGCCC, Ishee played for William Carey University, leading the institution to its first-ever Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) championship in 2011-2012. He was named SSAC Player of the Week twice (2011), All-SSAC (2012) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Second Team All-American (2012).  He holds the all-time lowest career score for William Carey University.

Charles Guy “Dinkey” Evans of Wiggins
Football
1951-1953

Charles Guy “Dinkey” Evans played on the inaugural Perkinston Consolidated High School (PCHS) Eagle football team coached by Harold T. “War Daddy” White.

In 1950, the PCHS Eagles, led on the field by Evans, scored 329 points and giving up only 26 in an undefeated and untied season. A 40-7 victory over the Lucedale High Panthers gave the Eagles the Dairy Bowl Trophy.

In 1951, Evans graduated from PCHS and enrolled at Perkinston Junior Collee, the same year that “War Daddy” White became assistant football coach at PJC. Evans was awarded the PJC C. S. Wentzell Football Trophy for sportsmanship (1951) and the Mississippi Association of Junior Colleges All-State Team (1952).

When “War Daddy” White became head coach in 1952, Evans was named Bulldog team co-captain along with Charles Branch.

In 1953-1954, Evans played fullback for the Mississippi State University Bulldogs. He received an Honorable Mention All-Southeastern Conference (1953), was selected to play in the Senior Bowl (1954) and was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy for best blocker in the SEC (1954).

Evans spent two years in the Army playing football for inter-service teams in Germany and at Fort Benning, Georgia.

On September 21, 2013, he was named to the MSU Sports Hall of Fame.

Bulldog Hall of Honor

Shirley Reeves Sanders of Moss Point
Cheerleader
1954-1956

The Bulldog Hall of Honor Award is bestowed on an alumnus who actively supported college athletics in an auxiliary role while in college and who continues to make a positive difference to Bulldog athletics.

Shirley Reeves Sanders of Moss Point attended Perkinston Junior College on a cheerleading scholarship.

During 1954-1955, she was head of the Welcome Committee, played intramural basketball and was on the Bulldog Barks staff.  In her sophomore year (1955-1956), she was head cheerleader, Miss Perkinston Junior College, Homecoming Queen, Young Women’s Christian Association president, secretary-treasurer of the Student Council and was on the Perkolator staff.

Sanders was an assistant physical education teacher at the college and was the basketball game scorekeeper during both years she was at PJC. She also served as a high school girls and foreign-student mentor and was a member of the Young Women’s Christian Association and the Baptist Student Union during both years.

She has been a lifetime member of the MGCCC Alumni Association since 1957, served as secretary of the Alumni Association for 10 years and helped start the first MGCJC cheerleading clinic. She retired as a teacher from the Harrison County School System after 25 years.

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