TRIBUTE TO ALTHEA GIBSON
2025 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
Parade of Rattler Legends.................................................................................Claudette L. Farmer, Vice Chair
2025 Induction Class Introduction & Entry
Wayne Barber
Willie Booker
Jomo Cousins
Q’Vaunda Curry
Amber Fullwood
FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Committee [Class of 1991]
Roy Moore
Karlos Odom
Jorge Olaves
Jacqueline Perkins
Dr. Maurice S. Pickett, Sr.
Rachel Pye
Michael Smith
E. Lilyan Spencer
Philip Sylvester
Van Wilson
Welcome..............................................................................................................................................Angela Suggs
FAMU Vice President & Director of Athletics
Occasion...................................................................................................................Marvin E. Green, Jr., Chairman
FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Committee [Class of 2016]
Invocation/Blessing........................................................................................................................Dr. James Moran DINNER (Various videos during dinner)
Official Enshrinement of 2025 Class......................................................................................Timothy Beard, Ph.D. Interim President of Florida A&M University
Angela Suggs, Marvin E. Green Jr., Claudette L. Farmer
Toast to the 2025 Enshrinees..................................................................................................Claudette L. Farmer
FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Trailblazer Award...........................................................................Dr. Beverly Barber
Recognition of Physical Education Awards...................................Dr. Sarah Price, Dean-College of Education
Recognition of Government Officials.............................................................................Carmen Cummings Martin
Memorial Recognition.................................................................................................................Rev. Ralph Wilson Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku [Class of 2017]
Remarks.............................................................................................................................................Marva Johnson President, Florida A&M University
Recognition of FAMU Sport Hall of Fame Committee............................................................Marvin E. Green, Jr.
Alma Mater.......................................................................................................................................................Video
Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame Committee
Purchase your full color copy of the official 2025 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Souvenir Book: Marvin E. Green Jr., Chairman
Claudette L. Farmer, Co-Chair Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs
Mary Hill
Sarah Hill-Yates
Alvin Hollins
Dr. Brian Lucas
Dr. Ebenezer Oriaku
Alfred Washington
Veronica Wiggins
Bonita Williams
Vaughn Wilson
Men’s Basketball (1971-1975)
Barber was a standout big man for Ajac Triplett’s Rattlers. He finished and remains FAMU’s No.2 career rebounder (1,033) and 6th in All-Time scoring (1,579). He led the team in rebounding in 1974 pulling down 422 boards in a single season. A 6’7” center and superbly gifted player, and one of the most fierce of big men in the middle, he led the Rattlers in blocked shots.
Coach: Men’s Basketball (1984-1993)
Booker’s clubs produced several Black College All-American and All-MEAC performers including Douglas Cook, Mervin Jones, Aldwin Ware, Terry Giles, Leonard King, and DeLon Turner. All of these players are members of the FAMU Sports Hall of FAME and were all recruited and trained by Booker. He was the first FAMU Coach to win the MEAC and go to an NCAA play-in game.
Football (1994-1997)
Cousins starred in both Football and Track at Florida A&M. An athletic and All-Star defensive back for coach Billy Joe, Cousins was drafted in the 7th round of the NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals. Cousins held FAMU and MEAC records for the shot put and was a standout discus thrower. He was on three MEAC football championship teams and went to the NCAA playoffs each year.
Women’s Basketball (2004-2008)
Curry was a standout hooper from Gadsden County. She finished her career with the FAMU record for the most 3-pointers made. She was team captain for three years. She was Top 20 in the NCAA three years consecutively in games played, 3-pt field goals, and 3-pt field goal attempts. She also ranked in the Top 20 in the NCAA two years in player efficiency rating.
Softball (2013-2017)
Fullwood earned multiple superlatives while playing infield for Veronica Wiggins’ most dominant Lady Rattler class. She was a three-time All-MEAC selection and four-time MEAC Champion as a four-year starter. She was a part of the only FAMU softball class to win four consecutive MEAC Championships and play in the NCAA Tournament four times.
Financial Supporter
Moore has been one of the most consistent supporters of FAMU Athletics and he has done it through several mediums. Directly to athletics, his business, Piggly Wiggly, has been a top corporate partner for decades. Personally he contributes through the Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club, the Rattler Boosters and directly to the university in various fundraising campaigns.
Football (1993-1996)
Odom as a standout defender for the Rattler defensive unit. In 1993 he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 1994 he would have another solid season, leading to being selected in 1995 to the Sheridan All-American team. He led the MEAC in several categories and was named All-MEAC first team. In 1996 he was again named All-American and All-MEAC for his stellar play.
Coach: Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving ()
Olaves is credited with saving the FAMU swimming and diving program for an extended period of time. Upon taking over the program, he had to ensure conference affiliation since it was not sponsored by the MEAC. He trained several champions and won conference titles. He was known for allowing the community to learn to swim and even fostered scuba lessons at the FAMU pool.
Supporter
Perkins started in 1975 as the first female trainer in FAMU history. At a time where George “Godfather” Thompson was both the head trainer and equipment manager, she lifted a lot of the responsibility from Godfather and FAMU Sports Hall of Famer Purcyell Pratt. She was heavily supported in her efforts by Rudy Hubbard and FAMU Athletics Director Hansel Tookes.
Financial Supporter
Dr. Pickett has been one of the most active financial supporters for not only FAMU Athletics, but the university in general. As part of the Rattlers-in-Arms tandem, he has been a part of several campaigns to assist athletics. Recently he and Ricardo Kinsey led an effort to provide the FAMU Golf team with a $60,000 practice canopy. They successfully raised funds for the venture in weeks.
Women’s Tennis (2007-2010)
Pye was a star from the first time she set foot on a tennis court for FAMU. At the end of her career she was honored with one of the MEAC’s most prestigous honors, MEAC Top 50 All-Time tennis player. She was a four-year starter.She was named All-Tournament and All-MEAC First Team 2009 and 2010, AllMEAC Tournament First Team Doubles, 2010 FAMU Women’s Tennis MVP.
Supporter
Smith was a co-captain on Rudy Hubbard’s football team. He went from walkon to team leadership. He was one of FAMU’s most exciting kick and punt returners, dubbed “Mr. Excitement” for his thrilling plays. Led the Rattlers for three consecutive years in kick returns. He supported FAMU Athletics from his position, four (4) times as FAMU Interim Director of Athletics.
Women’s Tennis
Spencer was FAMU’s greatest women’s tennis player behind only Althea Gibson. She won the women’s state title for 10 years without a defeat. She won the 1937 women’s doubles championship in the ATA. Her championship feat is mentioned in an exhibit of the International Tennis Hall of Fame entitled: “Breaking the Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis Pioneers.”
Football (2007-2010)
Sylvester was a three-time Florida Classic MVP (2007, 2009, 2010). He was All-MEAC and All-American. In 2007 he was named MEAC Rookie of the Year. That year he also captured the Atlanta Classic MVP. Off the field he was consistently on the MEAC’s All-Academic Team. In 2010 he was selected to the HBCU All Star Game. He graduated with honors in engineering
Supporter
Has been an avid volunteer for over 40 years. Starting with assisting his father Roosevelt Wilson with statistics, in high school he began helping with stats at all games. When FAMU purchased its first digital scoreboard, he programmed all of the graphics. His dedication started in 1977 and since that time has volunteered at every FAMU Relays, including the last meets held by Darlene Moore.
Tonight we salute Dr. Beverly Barber. The distinguished professor of dance studies took creative dance of mixed specialties and meshed tehm for unforgettable performances. For 13 years she would be the FAMU Cheerleaders advisor and coach. She is credited with teaching the FAMU Marching “100” their first dance routines. She and Dr. William P. Foster were both strong in their disciplines, but collaborated to start a trend that flourishes to this day.
