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FAMU to enshrine 11 in 2024 Sports Hall of Fame Class

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FAMU to enshrine 11 in 2024 Sports Hall of Fame Class

Vaughn Wilson
 |  Tallahassee Democrat

The FAMU Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 48th Enshrinement weekend from Friday, Sept. 27 through Saturday, Sept. 28 on the University campus. The class includes two women’s athletes, three male athletes, two coaches, one supporter and three financial contributors.

The athletes being enshrined include Andrea Aaron (Women’s Track & Field), Tracy Parker (Volleyball), Charles Hobbs Sr (Football-Posthumously), Harvey Cooper (Baseball), and Phillip “Poncho” Malcolm (Baseball-Posthumously).

The coaches selected for this year’s class are George Ellis (Swimming & Diving) and Mike Gillespie (Men’s Basketball).

The quartet being honored as contributors/supporters to athletics are: Financial Contributors: Ella & Lloyd Cobbs and Ricardo “Rick” Kinsey. FAMU Athletics Supporter: Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes.

The 2024 FAMU Hall of Fame Class Bio Shorts

Female Athletes

Andrea Aaron (Track & Field) – “Pooh” as she was affectionately known, was a stellar athlete during the tenure of FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Track Coach Dr. Darlene More. Aaron was a field events specialist who was a six-time medalist in MEAC Championships. She helped the team to a runners-up finish her freshman year. In 2015, her hammer throw, discuss and shot putting helped the Lady Rattlers to the 2015 MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, upsetting perennial power North Carolina A&T. In 2016, the Lady Rattlers would repeat behind her winning two field medals. She holds the FAMU record for the hammer throw.

Tracy Parker (Volleyball) – As a Freshman, Parker became the single “setter” for her experienced team, becoming single season assists leader with 1,575. She was the leader in assists/games with 10.86, good for 2nd in NCAA Division-I. In her sophomore year she was again the team leader 10.6 assists-per-game, leading the team to two consecutive Championships (1995 & 1996). She was the MEAC Tournament MVP and Sarah Yates Invitational MVP in 1996.

Male Athletes

Harvey Cooper (Baseball) – Cooper was one of FAMU baseball’s best-ever hitters. His career batting average was .340. His team won three (3) SIAC Baseball Championships with Harvey leading his team. His play also led the team to be invited to the NAIA National Playoff game held in St. Joseph, MO in 1962. He was Co-Captain of a team that posted a 18-3 record. He went on to play professional baseball.

Charles Hobbs, Sr. (Football – Posthumously) – Hobbs was known as a fierce blocker paving the way for great FAMU running backs for legendary coach Jake Gaither. Hobbs, was a four year letterman dual-threat at guard and linebacker. While it is difficult for linemen to stand out, Hobbs was considered a key player on the 1959 & 1961 Black National Championship Teams. He signed a rookie invitation from Pittsburgh Steelers, 1963.

Phillip Malcolm – (Baseball – Posthumously) – “Poncho” Malcolm has the FAMU record for highest batting average in a season at .529. He was Co-Captain of a team that posted an 18-3 record. Phillip accompanied Harvey in leading this team to the be invited to play in the NAIA National Playoff game. He went on to play three (3) seasons for the Pittsburg Pirates Professional team.

Coaches

George Ellis (Swimming & Diving) – FAMU swimming and diving as an NCAA sport can be traced directly to George Ellis. Immediately after graduating and competing for the Rattlers, Ellis took the reigns of the program and took the FAMU Swimming and Diving team to heights unseen. He was the FAMU Swimming & Diving Coach from 1971-2008. Ellis was named National Black Swimming Diving Coach of The Year by (NBSDO), Nationals & Conference Coach of The Year (Multiple Years- NBS, DA, SIAC, MEAC), and was the captain of FAMU’s first swim team (1969-71). As head coach Ellis had an 85% winning percentage against HBCUs.

Mike Gillespie (Men’s Basketball) – Gillespie took over a struggling program and turned it into a perennial contender during his six years as head coach. His teams posted a 62-46 record in MEAC play, and 8-3 in MEAC Tournament play, capturing two (2) tournament titles in 2004 and 2007. The 2003 and 2004 teams featured Hall of Fame guard Terrence Woods, who led the NCAA in Three-Pointers both years, finishing a two-year run with 239 triples. Gillespie led the 2004 team to defeat Lehigh (Pa.) in the NCAA Tournament Opening Round; FAMU’s first-ever and only Division One postseason win. The 2007 team finished 21-14, recording a FAMU Division One school record for victories. Gillespie was named MEAC Tournament Outstanding Coach in 2004 and 2007.

Supporters (Financial Contributors)

Lloyd & Ella Cobbs – Lloyd Cobbs was a standout football player for the Rattlers. Upon graduating, he and his wife Ella have been consistent contributors to FAMU Athletics and FAMU in general. Their directed contributions to FAMU Athletics have been through the Rattler Boosters, 220 Quarterback Club, National Rattler “F” Club and provided additional financial support to several initiatives directly to athletics teams.

Ricardo Kinsey – Ricardo Kinsey has been one of the university’s most active contributors. FAMU recognized him for his dedication to the general university with a ceremony at the eternal flame. Along with contributing to the general university and ROTC program, Kinsey had contributed substantial donations to FAMU Athletics. While he has contributed to several larger projects, he has taken a special interest in FAMU’s golf program. He spearheaded an initiative and raised the funding to support motorized golf carts for the golf team. Recently, he spearheaded with his own funds, a putting course inside the new FAMU golf locker room.

Supporters

Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes – The Rev. Dr. R.B. Holmes has been an avid supporter of FAMU Athletics. As a FAMU Trustee, he was heavily involved on rebounding the athletic department from the multi-million dollar shortfall. Holmes has personally contributed as well as challenged his Bethel Missionary Baptist Church to match or exceed his donations to FAMU Athletics. He has served as chaplain for the men’s basketball team for several years. He devised a group of contributors called

“Friends of FAMU” to address the athletic department’s shortfall. In doing so, he produced a “FAMU Legacy Banquet” which saw four living FAMU Presidents and several former Miss FAMU’s in attendance. In all, that effort raised over $250,000 that went directly to the athletic department’s shortfall.

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