January 30, 2003 CONTACT: Keith Gentry, (901) 333-4114 or Marilyn Duncan (901) 333-4247 SOUTHWEST ESTABLISHES HALL OF FAME, FORMER SALUQIS TO BE INDUCTED FEBRUARY 5 On February 5, the Southwest Tennessee Community College Saluqis will look back at some 30 years of Memphis college sports history when they honor several former athletes and coaches with induction into the newly established Saluqis Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be first annual Saluqis Hall of Fame banquet at 7 p.m., in the Verties Sails Gymnasium on the College’s Union Avenue campus, 737 Union. The inductees include Herbert Wright, (men's basketball, 1972-74), father of Memphis Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright and former Saluqi Lou Wright. Herbert Wright, the only original Saluqi among the inductees, was the first to be named All-TJCAA and All-American. Also to be inducted are former major league pitcher Charlie Lea (baseball, 1976-77); and Mary Boatwright (women's basketball, 1978-79), perhaps the best women's basketball player the city of Memphis has ever produced. Each inductee will receive a Hall of Fame plaque. Plaques for each sport will be placed in the Hall of Fame trophy case with the inductees listed by year and sport. Pictures of each athlete and coach, along with a list of their accomplishments also will be displayed. The inductees will be recognized again February 6 at the Saluqis game against St. Catharine at 6 p.m., in the Verties Sails gymnasium. "We're very proud to announce the first annual Saluqis Hall of Fame banquet,” said Saluqis coach Verties Sails, Jr. “The Hall of Fame is something that should've been done long ago, and there are several outstanding honorees this year. Southwest is proud to honor these outstanding athletes and coaches." The Hall of Fame inductees are: PLAYERS Carolyn Blair (women's basketball) 1981-83 Two-time All-TJCAA All-American (the second Lady Saluqis player named A-A) Led Lady Saluqis to TJCAA championship in 1982 (the second title for the women's team) Mary Boatwright (women's basketball) 1978-79 All-TJCAA (the first Lady Saluqis player to be named all-conference) Led Lady Saluqis to best single season record (23-2) and first TJCAA championship in 1979 Went on to play at Mississippi State, and is still one of MSU's all-time leading scorers Arguably the best women's basketball player ever to play in Memphis Terry Boone (men's basketball) 1974-76 All-TJCAA Two-time All-TJCAA West All-American Averaged 26.0 points per game as a sophomore (4th all-time) Frankie Campbell (golf) 1981-82 Two-time All-Region selection First Team All-American as a sophomore in 1982 Competed in the national championships both as a freshman and sophomore, finishing third in 1982 In the 1982 TJCCAA championships, set the course record on May 17, 1982, at Henry Horton Golf Course with a 65 from the championship tees. That record still stands. His two-day total was 65-68-133. Paul Gagliano (baseball) 1975-76 All-TJCAA TJCAA Player of the Year (the first Saluqis player named POY). Led Saluqis to a 60-23 record over his two years, including West Division champions in 1976 (the first championship baseball team for the Saluqis). Was a four-year member of the Italian national baseball team. Priscilla Gary (women's basketball) 1980-82 All-American (the first Lady Saluqis A-A) Lady Saluqis All-Time Leading Scorer Led Lady Saluqis to TJCAA championship in 1982 (the second title for the women's team) Went on to a stellar career at Kansas State, where she was also an All-American Anthony Johnson (men's basketball/baseball) 1974-76 Two-time All-TJCAA in basketball (the first two-time honoree) Saluqis 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer Averaged 25.5 points for his career (1st all-time) Went on to play basketball and baseball at LeMoyne-Owen College (2 years), was then selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Played Major League Baseball Involved with the Memphis Red Birds RBI Program Charlie Lea (baseball) 1976-77 Two-time All-TJCAA West All-TJCAA (one year) Went on to play at (then) Memphis State University (2 years), and was then selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Played Major League baseball, pitched no-hitter while with the Montreal Expos. Member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Involved with the Memphis Red Birds - does TV/radio color commentary. McKinley Singleton (men's basketball) 1979-81 Two-time All-TJCAA Two-time West Division Player of the Year Saluqis All-Time Leading Scorer First Saluqis player to play in the NBA Herbert Wright (men's basketball) 1972-74 Father of Memphis Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright and former Saluqi Lou Wright. Herbert Wright, the only original Saluqi among the inductees, was the first to be named All-TJCAA and All-American. Saluqis All-Time Leading Rebounder. Went on to play at Ole Miss (2 years) Played Professional Basketball overseas Was also Lady Saluqis women's basketball coach for 12 years, compiling a 179-88 record (#1 in career wins for Lady Saluqis coaches) Led Lady Saluqis to six West Division championships, three TJCAA championships, and three Region titles/national tournament appearances. TJCAA Coach of the Year in 1994 COACHES (all were the first coaches at the College) Joe Proctor (men's basketball) TJCAA Coach of the Year in 1976-77, when the Saluqis won the conference and region championships, and played in the national tournament for the first time. Career record of 84-47 Joe Platt (baseball) 179-73-1 career record for a .709 winning percentage (#1 all-time among Saluqis baseball coaches) Led Saluqis to two West Division championships and two runners-up in his six years as coach TJCAA Coach of the Year, when he led the Saluqis to the West Division championship (for the first time) Bob Canada, former Athletic Director (golf and tennis) Coach Under his leadership, the Saluqis' total intercollegiate athletic program gained much local, regional and national attention. During his 12-year tenure, Saluqis' teams posted an impressive winning record. As a golf coach, his golfers won nine consecutive NJCAA Region 7 titles and competed in the same number of national tournaments. Region 7 Golf Coach of the Year every year from 1979-1990. Four of his golfers were selected All-American, many were awarded scholarships to four-year colleges, and several turned professional. Tennis coach during the 1978-79 seasons, winning both state and regional championships, and qualifying for the national tournament. Inducted into the TJCCAA Hall of Fame in 1990. Anita Malone (women's basketball) 125-44 career record for a .740 winning percentage (#1 all-time among Saluqis women's basketball coaches). Led Lady Saluqis to two TJCAA championships. In her seven years as coach, Lady Saluqis were twice TJCAA runner-up, once region runner-up, twice West Division champions, and and three times West Division runner-up.