ORLANDO, FL – Two SC State Hall of Famers were among five persons honored at the sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Reception at Disney's Contemporary Resort Aug. 30. ESPN sportscaster Jay Harris will served as master of ceremonies for the event, which preceded Sunday's football contest in which the MEAC's North Carolina A&T defeated the SWAC's Alabama A&M 47-13 at Bright House Networks Stadium in the 10th anniversary of the contest.
Former SC State All-America defensive end and National Football League standout Harry Carson and retired Bulldog sports information director Bill Hamilton, were joined by two representatives from Alabama A&M – former NFL wide receiver John Stallworth and former athletics director and longtime volleyball coach Betty Austin – and former North Carolina A&T and NFL defensive standout Elvin Bethea in being recognized.
Carson, Stallworth and Bethea are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Established in 2009, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Awards pays tribute to those individuals whose achievements have impacted Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), according to Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Events. Each honoree was presented an HBCU Trailblazer Award in recognition of the impact made in his or her respective career, community or alma mater.
Carson and Hamilton bring to six the number of SC State alumni recognized as MEAC-SWAC Challenge Legends. Previously honored were David "Deacon" Jones (2013), Robert Porcher (2011), Barney Chavous (2009) and Congressman James Clyburn (2009).
SC State has played in two of the previous contests. The Bulldogs defeated Alabama State 27-13 in the inaugural contest at Birmingham in 2005 and were victorious over Grambling 34-31 at Orlando in 2009.
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