May 8, 2008

JACKSON, Miss. - Jackson State University's "Winningest" football coach W.C. Gorden has been selected for the College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Gorden coached at Jackson State from 1976-91 and compiled an impressive 119-47-5 record. During his 15 year career at JSU Gorden won eight Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships. Gorden's Tigers won three straight SWAC titles twice (1980-82 and 1985-87). JSU went on to win the SWAC crown in 1988 and again in 1990.

Gorden will also go into the 2008 College Football Hall of Fame class with another SWAC coach, Mississippi Valley State's Doug Porter. He won 166 games as the head coach for the Delta Devils (1961-65), Howard (1974-78) and Fort Valley State (1979-85, '87-96).

Also elected were former North Alabama linebacker Ronald McKinnon (1992-95), Mount Union quarterback Jim Ballard (1991-93), Texas A&M-Kingsville defensive end John Randle (1988-89) and McMurry halfback Brad Rowland (1947-50).

This year's class will be inducted July 18-19 during the Enshrinement Festival in South Bend, Ind.