Class of 2002
Morrie Wiggins, class of 1962 and an inductee for football, is a native of Rocky Mount, NC and a long-time resident of Salisbury, NC. He has served Livingstone College for more than 24 years in various capacities: coach, Athletic Director, Residence Life Director, Acting Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Recreation - a position he held for 15 years. While a member of the football team, he became one of the first in Livingstone's history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. As a coach at Livingstone, his Blue Bear golf team won the 1988 CIAA Championship and the 1988 Minority College Golf National Championship.
Alfred Tyler, class of 1967 and an inductee of football, is a native of Clifton Forge, VA and a resident of Washington, DC. Tyler led the nation in passing in 1966 with a record of 2,499 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns. He passed for 4,630 yards and 54 touchdowns in his collegiate career. Alfred is ranked as Livingstone's all-time leading passer. He also led the nation's smalled college in total offense his senior year and he signed professionally with Montreal of the Candadian Football League. After graduating from Livingstone, Tyler played with the Washington Redskins farm team for four years. Tyler's jersey number 17 was retired on April 17, 1967 and in 1989 he was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame.
Romus Jefferies, class of 1971 and an inductee for football, is a native and resident of Salisbury, NC. Jefferies earned a number of honors playing football including being named the 1970 Coca-Cola Golden Helmet Award winner. Romus was drafted by the Buffalo Bills after graduation and after his stint with the Bulls, he served as a recreation specialist in the Michigan State system. He completed the Hardee's minority franchise program in 1990 and returned to his hometown in 1995 to become owner of a local Hardee's and continue his enthursiastic support of the Blue Bear Athletic Department.
Larry Melton, class of 1972 and a inductee for football is a native of Washington, DC and a resident of Charlotte, NC. Melton was a four-year letterman who was named the Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman for two years. He is the owner of L.D. Melton Financial Services and has been in business for over 25 years, specializing in all lines of insurance. Melton is a member of the Board of the Joseph Price Heritage Society and of the Trustees at Livingstone College. He is also a board member of hte Greater Enrichment Program and hte Chairman of the Trustee Board at Gethsemane AME Zion Church. Melton is a member of Who's Who Among Life Insurance Professionals and a charter member of HVO Optimist Club.
Larry Lee, a football inductee and a 1976 graduate, is a native of Statesboro, GA but a long-time resident of Fort Pierce, FL. He was named to the 1974 All-CIAA Football Team as a linebacker. After graduation, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos. At the conclusion of his professional career, he began teaching, coaching and counseling at Screven County High School in Sylvania, GA, Fort Pierce High School and Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL. Lee began counseling in a different capacity when he opened his own State Farm Insurance Agency branch in 1988. He continues to serve his alma mater and community by serving on a number of boards and committees.
Johnny Ray Miller, a football inductee and a 1977 graduate, is a nativec of Wadesboro, NC. He was the team's captain from 1974-76 and was also a three-time Defensive Lineman of the Year. In 1975 and 1976 Miller was an All-CIAA performer and a Black College Sports All-American. He was named to the Associated Press All-American Team and the Pittsburgh Courier All-American Team in 1976. Miller was considered as one of the top candidates for the Teague Award in 1976 for North Carolina's top amateur athlete of the year award. Miller jonied the ranks of the National Football League as a 1977 draftee for the San Francisco 49ers. He ended his five-year professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles and became and administrator with the city of San Francisco.
Dr. Beverly Downing, class of 1978 and a basketball inductee, is a native of Washington, DC and a resident of Raleigh, NC. Downing earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in three years at Livingstone. Downing received her Master's Degree from Hampton University and her Doctorate at Middle Tennessee University. Downing earned numerous awards and honors as a player, coach and academic administrator. As a player, Downing earned All-CIAA awards in basketball and softball. As a student, she led the efforts to begin Livingstone's first women's softball team. Beverly passed on a professional basketball career to pursue her advanced degrees. She also started teh first softball team at Hampton Institute that went on to capture teh Virginia AIAW runner-up title. Downing earned All-State and Homerun awards while playing Class A softball in the ASA and USSSA. As a coach at St. Augustine's, she earned seven Coach of the Year honors for women's basketball and softball. Downing served as an assistant coach to the 1986 US Olympic Festival, silver medal winning basketball team.
Joseph White, a football inductee and 1983 graduate, is a native of Southport, NC and a resident of Leland, NC. While attending Livingstone, White was voted the Blue Bears Most Outstanding Offensive Back in football and he was the recipient of the Baxter Holman Award - the highest academic award - for running track. The Sheridan Broadcasting Network and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 26 named him an All-American in 1982 and 1983. Joseph White was the 1982 and 1984 CIAA Athlete of the Year. He also earned the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year in 1983. White signed iwth the Tampa Bay Bandits football team of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985 and his jersey number, 24, was retired. White was a head softball coach and assistant football and basketball coach for Livingstone. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. He also earned a Master's Degree from North Carolina A&T State University.
Darryl Ardrey, was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously, for football. Ardrey, a native of Charlotte, NC, departed this life in his senior year on February 5, 1994. His departure truly touched the Livingstone College community. Ardrey's jersey, number five, was retired a week later and his mother, Gwendolyn Ardrey Perry, received his degree during the 1994 commencement cermony.
Ben Coates, class of 1998 and a football inductee, is a native of Greenwood, SC and a resident of Concord, NC. Coates ia Livingstone Baxter Holmoan Memorial Award and S.W. Lancaster Award recipient. He was drafted by the New England Patriots with their second pick in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. Coates emerged as the premier tight end in the league in 1994 when he was awarded first-team All-Pro honors and set the new NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 96. He also had 1,174 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Coates led the AFC in receptions and was the second most in Patriots' history. He was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s. Coates made his first of two Super Bowl apperances with teh Patriots in 1996 and with the winning Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Professionally, he has played in five Pro-Bowl games, 158 games wtih 499 receptions for 5,555 yards.
