Nov. 30, 2005
Princess Anne, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the newest members of the 2006 Hall of Fame Induction Class and information on the induction ceremony and induction banquet.
UMES will be enshrining 12 former athletes, coaches and supporters into the Hall. The twelve represent some of UMES' greatest teams and accomplishments from football, basketball, baseball, track and field and their first inductee from the Hawk's men's soccer team.
The list includes:
Clifton "Cappy" Anderson--Coach (Track & Field, Football)
Kimandi Binns--Soccer
Charles Bush--Baseball
Cal Davidson--Football
Richard Davis--Track & Field
Reggie Ennis--Football
James Freeman--Football
James Hough--Basketball
Raymond "Pack Rat" Johnson--Track & Field
Howard Nicholas--Football/Track & Field
Gregory Thomas--Track & Field
Wardell Thomas--Supporter/Athletic Trainer/Coach
The banquet will also feature the presentation of the Athletic Spirit Award to Debbie Edwards on behalf of her late husband Corsley "Punch" Edwards and the recognition of the 1966 CIAA Champion Baseball Team who went undefeated that season, a mark that still stands today.
The formal banquet recognizing these great Hawks will be held on February 17th, 2006 in conjunction with the University's Homecoming. The induction banquet will be held in the Student Services Center (SSC) Ballroom at 7:00 PM after a Hall of Fame reception at 6:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room of the SSC. The reception is limited to invitation only. Ticket information will be forthcoming.
Stay tuned to www.umeshawks.com for more details regarding this great event.
Bios:
The fist nominee is no stranger to the Hawk faithful as cross-country meets, numerous events and even the football field are named after him. Clifton "Cappy" Anderson will be enshrined as a coach for football and track and field. He started his career in 1960 and coached at UMES for 18 seasons. He coached such track legends as Russ Rogers and Charlie Mays, winning and NAIA National Championship. On the gridiron he oversaw Art Shell and Carl Hairston during their record-breaking seasons.
Kimandi Binns is the most recent Hawk to have played. The soccer star holds the record for most goals, assists and points in UMES history. He played in the Pan-American games and was a qualifier on the world cup and Olympic teams. He was honored in his home country of Bermuda as the teen athlete of the year. He played at UMES from 1993-1997.
The only hardballer in this class is Charles Bush who played on the CIAA Championship Baseball team of 1956. Bush hit .350 as a shortstop over two seasons and was part of the Triple Crown Championship year in 1955-56 where the Hawks won the crown in Baseball, Football and Basketball.
On the hardwood the Hawks will induct James Hough, who played on the CIAA Championship team of 55-56 as a guard. Huff is another member of the triple crown team who played under Hall of Fame Coach Nat Taylor.
On the gridiron UMES will honor four players who laced them up Saturdays during the prime of the UMES football years.
Cal Davidson played both offensive and defensive end as well as special teams. The three-way player was a force covering punts and kick-offs.
Reggie Ennis was one of the last Hawks to play football at UMES. He was All-MEAC in 1979 and still holds records for the running back position. He led the team in rushing during his All-MEAC season of 1979.
James Freeman was another player that was on both sides of the ball. The Oklahoma native played offensive and defensive tackles from 1948-1950 under the Hall of Fame coach Skip McCain.
Playing both football and track and field was Howard Nicholas who started four seasons as the punter on the team and received MVP honors his freshman year on the track. He was also the named the Most Outstanding Athlete for track and field during his final year in 1978.
Other track and field athletes being nominated include Richard Davis, who was part of the 1964 NAIA National Championship Team competing in the 120-yard high hurdles and 220-yard low hurdles. His teammate, Raymond "Pack Rat" Jackson will also be inducted as he competed that season in the 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs as well as the mile run. He was noted for being the last man to defeat Olympian Billy Mills at the Quantico Relays.
Another track athlete, one of the recent stars, was Gregory Thomas who was All-MEAC in 1981 and 1982. Thomas set a new school record in 1982 at the Penn Relays with a third place finish in the sprint medley. He was also a National Association For Equal Opportunity In Higher Education (NAFEO) inductee.
Last but certainly not least is Wardell Thomas who will be inducted as a supporter and athletic trainer. Wardell was a life-long supporter of the Hawks and served as a trainer for the Hawks in the mid-1950s. He served in other capacities as well for the Hawks but the Hawk faithful most fondly remembers his dedication and work as an athletic trainer.
