W. C. Gorden said he had been to the “mountain top” during his enshrinement into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame last weekend. The ceremony took place at The University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
But it was not the honor that was being bestowed on him that prompted the statement, rather it was the fact of him being the head football coach of the Jackson State University Tigers for 15 of years. “I was somewhat pleasantly surprised that so many people were aware of the great football tradition that Jackson State has had over the years. The entire group of inductees was very much familiar with the many outstanding players that came out of JSU and the SWAC and who went on to make names for themselves in the NFL,” Gorden said.
Sixteen former college players and four coaches were inducted in the 2008 class. Among the players were former NFL greats Doug Flutie, QB Boston College; Rex Kern, QB Ohio State; Ahmad Rashad, WR Oregon; and John Randle, DE Texas A&M. Among the coaches inducted besides Gorden were long-time Penn State Joe Pattern and Doug Porter, who coached at Mississippi Valley State from 1961to 1965.
Gorden said the affair was one of the best sports events he has ever been involved with. “It was very nice from start to finish and it was one of the most enjoyable occasions I have ever attended. The city of South Bend gave us a big welcome reception on Thursday night that was out of sight. And the tour of the historic 80- year old Notre Dame stadium was a wonderful experience.”
At least five Jacksonians traveled to the festivities in support of the coach: JSU’s Director of Athletics Bob Braddy, former Tiger great “Big” Larry White, JSU alum Attorney Delano Funches and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald McLaughlin, members of the Central Methodist Church where Gorden attends. In all Gorden had about 25 supporters on hand, that included family and friends. “ I was pleased with the number of people who could attend the affair. But so many extended congratulations and of course regrets of not being able to be there for various reasons. In fact Coach Porter and I had the most family members present than any of the other inductees,” Gorden pointed out.
Larry White, who played under coach Gorden at JSU, was a little less diplomatic than coach Gorden about the small delegation from Jackson State. “I felt that more JSU officials should have been there to support coach Gorden. The only one present was coach Braddy and I think it was unfortunate that the University didn’t rally behind him in a much bigger fashion. The president should have been there or some of his people,” White said. Braddy did return call for comment before press time.
Gorden said as he walked around in the Notre Dame football stadium he was amazed that after over 80 years the facility was still in excellent condition. He said Notre Dame officials have never entertained the notion to tear it down and build another one. They said to me …“We don’t want to destroy history. When something needs fixing we fix it. And we maintain this treasure that has so much Notre Dame history,” said John Hinson, who oversees some 100 ushers that work at each football game.
Gorden said that reminded him of the dilemma that’s facing Jackson State with their home field, Mississippi Memorial Stadium. “I have never felt that Memorial Stadium should be torn down because of the rich history that’s there. That’s where Walter Payton, Archie Manning, Jerry Rice, Brett Farve and Steve McNair played. It’s where Bear Bryant and Eddie Robinson coached. So many greats have played and/or coached in the 50 year old facility and just like at Notre Dame…why destroy history.”
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