Class of 2008
Harry James Caldwell, '65, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the football team. Caldwell is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and a dedicated entrepreneur, educator, and owner of Harry Caldwell and Associates. He is a business strategist. Harry’s professional preparation in education and business began at Livingstone College where he received his B.S. degree in Business Administration. Later, he earned a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Pfeiffer University. During his senior year (1965), his teammates voted him captain of the team. His tenacity on and off the football field mirrored his leadership acumen. Harry played offensive (slot back) and defensive (cornerback). However, his forte was defense. He averaged 3.3 individual tackles per game and assisted in more than 80% of team tackles, forced fumbles, and interceptions. During his tenure at Livingstone, he lettered in football. After graduating from Livingstone, Harry earned a starting defensive position as a free safety and strong safety with the New Jersey Jets (farm team of the New York Jets) semi-professional football team in the Continental League. Injuries ended his football career; however, Harry transferred that tenacity learned on the football field to the business world and the academic world.
Wilson Cherry was inducted into the Hall of Fame for meritorious service. Wilson is a native of Salisbury, North Carolina and a graduate of Salisbury High School and Catawba College. His long standing relationship with Livingstone College dates back to his childhood, when he served as a ball boy on Saturdays. While in high school, former Livingstone coach, J. D. Marshall began to mentor and train Cherry as a manager and statistician. He frequently traveled with the team and became an avid fan. In 1978, he became Director of Public Relations and Sports Information at the College. Since that time he has enjoyed a long happy union with the institution serving in numerous capacities. In the role of Public Relations Director, he was the co-founder and wrote the initial grant for the nationally acclaimed “Children’s Book Festival”. Some of Cherry’s other achievements include: Wrote and produced the college’s first marketing video; Served as host and producer of “Livingstone’s News and View, a highly successful community affairs radio show on WPEG fm. in Charlotte and WSTP News Radio 1490 am in Salisbury. Wilson served a advisor to the student yearbook staff; editor of the college’s official newsletter and also served on the college’s United Negro College Fund campaign committee. As the Sports Information Director, Cherry successfully marketed numerous All-Conference and All-Americans including JoJo White, Ben Coates, James Simpson, Antonio Davis, Rodney Hampton, Beverly Downing and numerous others. He hosted and produced various coaches shows and press conferences in football and basketball. Cherry has served 30 years as Public Address Announcer for Livingstone College football and is a member of the Blue Bears Booster Club.
Ernest Sidney Davis, '69, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the football team and for meritorious service. In the early Fall of 1968, Dr. Samuel Duncan summoned Mr. Davis and requested that he come to work at Livingstone College. Davis’s first job was to secure the campus by starting a security department. In 1969, Davis asked to take the responsibility of starting a maintenance department. Davis worked simultaneously with his employees to set up both the security and maintenance departments. Ernest was allowed to complete his Bachelor’s Degree while he worked as a superintendent of buildings and grounds. He began his undergraduate education at Livingstone in 1948 under the G. I. Bill. After supporting and educating his family, Davis, himself completed his degree at Livingstone with the Class of 1969. Ernest was an avid sports person serving as coach of a winning softball team and as an assistant coach under Coach Marshall for the Livingstone College football team.
Nellie Jean Love, '78, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for meritorious service. Nellie was a staunch supporter of Livingstone College Academics and Athletics. In 1978, Nellie enrolled in Livingstone College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English. After graduation Nellie began her career in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System as an English teacher and it led her to serve a number of schools including Garinger and Vance High School. Nellie held memberships in the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), Student Council Association, North Carolina Association of Student Council, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Livingstone Alumni Association, and the Livingstone Blue Bears Club, Inc. Nellie was a founding member of Livingstone Blue Bears Club, Inc., and was truly a Blue Bear. She loved Livingstone College and all Livingstonians. She was a scholar and knew how to tell the Livingstone story and how to celebrate our heroes. Nellie’s support for Livingstone College athletics and academics is legendary. She encouraged and convinced many students, non-athletes and athletes, to attend Livingstone College to pursue their undergraduate degrees.
James Avrose Martin, Sr., '61, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the football team. James Avrose Martin, Sr. resides in Shelby, North Carolina with his wife Patsy, a 1960 graduate of Livingstone College. After graduating from Green Bethel High School in Boiling Springs, NC, James enlisted in the United States Army. As a veteran, he became a student at Livingstone College. He earned a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education in 1961. As a student at Livingstone, James (Rail) Martin was a four year letterman in football. He came to the team as a walk-on player under Coach Mitchell. Under Coach Cox he played in the post season game at the Gator Bowl. He was voted the most outstanding player in the Paine game where be had 11 unassisted tackles and blocked and intercepted the pass. Because he was so aggressive on defense, Coach Cox made him nose guard permanently to anchor the middle of the defensive line. He was a part of the 1960 team that was co-champions of the EIAC Conference.
Andrew Spencer Smith, '67, was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the football team. Smith, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina earned a B.S. degree in Mathematic from Livingstone College in 1967. He furthered his studies at North Carolina A & T State University where he earned a M.S. degree in Safety and Drivers Education. Mr. Smith was recruited by Livingstone in 1962 on a football scholarship by Coach Charles R. Cox. He was also heavily recruited by other HBCUs after having played on South Carolina 3A State Championship teams at Carver High School in Spartanburg. The freshmen recruits of 1962 were the first group to play for the Livingstone’s inaugural year in the CIAA. Smith had to postpone college after his sophomore year but received a free agent tryout with the New York Jets of the fledgling American Football League in 1965. In the Fall of 1965, Smith returned to Livingstone and played football under Coach John D. Marshall, Jr.
