Welcome to the Alcorn State Tradition Page

Athletic Mission

Alcorn State University is committed to providing a broad-based program that prepares student-athletes to succeed in their chosen field of study and to excel in their chosen sport. The mission of the Athletics Department is to provide equal opportunity for a diverse student population through competitive programs that encourage integrity, personal development, leadership, and teamwork at the highest level of academic and athletic excellence. This quest for academic excellence undergirds the University's mission of teaching, research and service through strong academics support programs for student-athletes and through the participation of all student-athletes in community service activities which lead to the development of competent, civic-minded graduates.

Tradition

Steve McNair, Marino Casem and Davey L. Whitney remain three of the most famous names in Alcorn State athletics history, but the rich history of Alcorn State athletics reaches far beyond those three legends.

Here's are links to some of Alcorn's best:

Legendary Basketball Coach Davey L. Whitney 

More Tradition

Significant dates in Alcorn athletics history

1921 – The first year of Alcorn football. Alcorn finished 4-0 under coach O. Henderson.

1954 – Jack Spinks drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the first Alcorn football player and first Black Mississippian to be drafted in the NFL.

1964 – Marino H. Casem hired as head football coach. He stayed 22 years, compiling a record of 132-65-8.

1968 – Alcorn track athlete Mildred Netter winsgold medal as part of the 4x100 relay in the Mexico City Games. She was the first black woman from Mississippi to win a gold medal.

September 1969 – Alcorn defeated Grambling 28-7 in the first Freedom Classic at L.A. Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif.

November 1968 – Alcorn defeated Florida A&M 36-9 in Miami, Fla., in the Orange Blossom Classic, a game that was the Super Bowl for historically black colleges and universities.

November 1968 – Alcorn wins first SWAC football championship.

November 1969 – Alcorn football beats Jackson State 50-8, securing the second straight SWAC and Black College National championships.

November 1970 – Alcorn wins third straight SWAC football title.

Spring 1971 – Alcorn sprinter Jerry Sims ties the world indoor record in 60-yard dash, running 5.9 seconds, and Alcorn sprinter Willie McGee ties world outdoor record in 100-yard dash. Both were the fastest time in the world during that season. McGee also later played in the NFL.

November 1978 – Alcorn plays its first women’s basketball game, beating Blue Mountain 97-74.

March 1979 – Alcorn men’s basketball became the first historically black university to notch a victory in the NIT.

March 1980 – Alcorn defeated South Alabama 70-62 in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, becoming the first historically black university to notch a victory in the NCAA Tournament.

April 1980 – Defensive back Roynell Young becomes the first Alcorn football player to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Nov. 4, 1984 – Known as The Game, a Memorial Stadium record crowd of 63,808 watches Alcorn defeat Mississippi Valley State 42-28.

November 1984 – Alcorn winsthe SWAC and Black College National Championships.

Sept. 19, 1992 – Alcorn defeats Alabama State 32-7 in the first game at Jack Spinks Stadium, the school’s new, state-of-the-art football stadium. Alcorn won its first 13 games in the new facility.

November 1994 – Quarterback Steve McNair sets the NCAA record for career total offense. He finished the season with 57 touchdown passes, while also finishing third in balloting for the Heisman Trophy and being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

More Information on Alcorn State Athletic Tradition coming soon.

Which Football Game are you looking forward to the most?