Courtesy: SWAC.org
The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its Hall of Fame class for 2012. The eight inductees; Donald Driver (Alcorn State), Harold Carmichael (Southern), Willie Norwood (Alcorn State), Hubert O Clemmons (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Eugene “Doc” Harvey (Grambling), Lawrence A. Davis (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), LyVonne LeFlore (Jackson State) and Herman Sanders (Mississippi Valley State) will be enshrined in the SWAC Hall of Fame on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. The induction is set to begin at 6 p.m. with a reception.
Driver was a two-year starter and three-time letterman at Alcorn State (1996-98). During his career as a Brave, Driver earned All-SWAC honors. He earned second team honors as a senior after leading the team in receptions (55), yards (1,128) and scoring. Driver also excelled in track and field at Alcorn.
Driver was drafted 213th overall in the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers in 1999. To date, he is the Packers’ all-time leading receiver and he has a Super Bowl ring.
In 2012, Driver took home another title when he and his dance partner were the top couple on Dancing with the Stars.
Carmichael was a 4-year starter at Southern where he led the team in receptions each season. In his senior year, he was an All-American as well as All-SWAC.
In 1971, Carmichael was drafted in the 7th round by the Philadelphia Eagles. The 4-time pro-bowler spent 14 years in the NFL and finished his career 6th on the league’s all-time list with 590 receptions.
In 1980, he was voted NFL Man of the Year. He is also a member of the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, Carmichael is a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame (1987), Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame Honor Roll and Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.
Norwood was a dominant power forward at Alcorn State in the late 60’s. He scored 1,973 during his career, ranking him second all-time at Alcorn. He is also ranked second all-time in rebounding with 1,413. Among his numerous awards, Norwood earned All-SWAC honors in 1967, 1968 and 1969.
In 1969, he was drafted in the first round by the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA and the second round by the Detroit Pistons. He was also selected by the San Diego Chargers as a tight end, making him the only player in Alcorn’s history to be drafted by three different teams in the same year.
In 2000, Norwood was inducted into the Alcorn State University Hall of Fame.
Harvey served as head athletic trainer at Grambling for 43 years (1955-1998). He also served as a message therapist and athletic trainer at Harvey’s Body Works from 1961-2012.
In 1980, Harvey was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2011, Grambling made him a part of its Legends Hall of Fame and he was a candidate for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Sports Medicine in 2012.
LeFlore was a 3-year All-SWAC performer at Jackson State (1963-65). He was also a member of the SWAC basketball championship team in 1963. He was a member of the Harrisburg Patriot Eastern Basketball League from 1965-1966 and the All Eastern Basketball League in 1965.
LeFlore served as head basketball coach at John Harris High School (1969-70) and Harrisburg High School (1975-77) in Harrisburg, PA.
Sanders was a standout runner at Mississippi Valley State. He was All-SWAC and an All-American in track and field. Sanders led MVSU to national track and field championships with the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association (NAIA).
After graduation, Sanders went on to become a physical education instructor at Leflore High School where he also coached the track team to several championships.
Clemmons became one of the most prominent coaches in the nation at Arkansas AM&N (Arkansas-Pine Bluff). In 20 seasons he ranked seventh among NCAA Division II coaches with a 296-217. In 1966-67, Clemmons earned NAIA District Coach of the Year honors after leading the Golden Lions to a 24-7 record and a SWAC championship.
During the 1963-64 season, Clemmons’ squad led NCAA II in team scoring with an average of 100 points per game.
Clemmons was named Athletic Director at UAPB in 1992 and is credited for the Lions returning to the SWAC in 1998 after more than 20 years in the AIC and as an independent.
Davis was a four-year letterman on the UAPB men’s basketball team from 1954-58. In 1955-56, he was named Most Outstanding Scholar-Athlete. As administrator, Davis was an active member of the SWAC Council of Presidents/Chancellors for 22 years. He served as Chancellor at UAPB for 22 years.
All totaled, Davis worked at UAPB for some 50 years, including stints as Chancellor, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Chairman of the Mathematics and Physics Department, Associate Professor of Mathematics, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Instructor of Mathematics and Physics.
During his tenure as Chancellor, Davis spearheaded UAPB’s elevation to an NCAA Division I member and he orchestrated the school’s return to membership in the SWAC.
