Harrison Wilson As Jackson State’s men’s basketball coach and later as president of Norfolk State University, Harrison B. Wilson became known for his formidable leadership. His 371-93 career record wins rank the highest for JSU basketball. He is considered by many the architect of modern men’s basketball. In 17 seasons at the helm of the Tigers’ program, he never had a losing season and recorded thirteen 20-plus win seasons. His teams also posted 29 wins in a season twice (1955-56 and 196364). His 1963-64 team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. During his tenure at Jackson State, Wilson coached some of the most talented players in the country, such as Cleveland Buckner (drafted by the New York Knicks in 1961), Ed Manning (former NBA player and the father of Kansas Jayhawk great Danny Manning) and Paul Covington (a disciple of Wilson’s who took over as head men’s basketball coach at Jackson State). All of these individuals are highly respected in the world of basketball and that is due in no small part to Wilson’s teaching and philosophy. From 1960-67, he served as chair of the Department of Health and Physical Education at Jackson State. Wilson believed in and demanded excellence in his student-athletes, a trait which he took to Norfolk State with him. Wilson left Jackson State in 1967 to work as chair and professor of health and physical education at Tennessee State University. He then worked for a short time as assistant to the president at Fisk University before being named president at Norfolk State University in 1975. Upon his retirement in 1997, Wilson was honored by Old Dominion University as one of their Strong Men and Women Excellence in Leadership series.
Sean Woodson Sean Andre Woodson emerged as one of the premier defensive backs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the mid-1990s. He was a two-time All-SWAC first team member, receiving the honor in 1995 and 1996. During his senior year, he recorded a league-high eight interceptions. In 1997, Woodson was drafted with the 23rd pick in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills. Woodson is currently a radio broadcaster and firefighter in Jackson, Miss.