2014 Combined

ECCC Set to Induct Two Into Athletic Hall of Fame

;::;~eo /.eo -1 35 PM, Oct 01, 2014

By: ECCC Media Relations

A pair of former East Central Community College standout football players .• will be enshrined into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming activities scheduled Saturday, October 11, on the Decatur campus. Troy Henderson of Raymond and Richard Fulmer of Deatsville, Ala., will be inducted into the prestigious group during the annual Alumni Association Awards Luncheon, which begins at 11 a.m. in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria. TROY HENDERSON Troy Henderson was regarded as one of the top defensive ends in the Mississippi-Junior College Conference during the 1952 and 1953 seasons. Henderson, who also excelled at defensive back, was known for his hard tackling and numerous fumble recoveries. Many of those fumbles were caused by his aggressive style of defense. Henderson, who retired in the late 1990s following a distinguished career at Hinds Community College in Raymond, said he was "extremely honored and happy" to receive the honor, and added, "I was overjoyed to get that phone r1' call from (ECCC President) Dr. Billy Stewart!" Henderson was a two-year letterman at East Central and helped lead the Warriors to a 4-6 record as a freshman and a 6-5 mark his sophomore season under head coach John Grace. The 1952 squad began the season with victories over MS Delta (32-6), Northeast (14-6), Jones County (7-6) and Holmes (27-6). Losses followed to Southwest (13-7), Hinds (26-13), East MS (40-20), Co-Lin (20-14), Pearl River (27 20) and Gulf Coast (13-6). EC improved to 6-5 the following year, with wins over MS Delta (12-7), Northeast (20-13), Holmes (12-7), Southwest (33-13), Marion Institute (40-7) and Co-Lin (7-0). Setbacks were to Jones County (34-7), Hinds (35-0), Pearl River (51 1 13) and Gulf Coast (23-6). · While reflecting on his athletic career at EC, the 1954 graduate said the "relationships" mattered most. "The 'e lowship and friendships with my teammates is what I enjoyed most," Henderson said. He said he enjoyed attending East Central as a student-athlete because the college "was close to home 13' and I got a full scholarship. which included books and food!" His least favorite experience as a football player.• involved preseason workouts, which were "very long and hot. . extremely hot!" In add on to playing football at EC, Henderson was sports editor for the Wo-He-Lo yearbook and served two years as a member of the Future Teachers Association. He was also a freshman cJass officer, Athletic Committee member and a member of the Social and Hospitality Committee. Henderson came to East Central following a stellar career at Forest High School, where he was a three-year letterman in football. basketball and track. During his senior season, Henderson was named co-captain of the Bearcat football team .•. He also received the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award. He completed his high school career by playing a prominent role as fullback in the ,. first Mississippi High School All-Star Football Game held at Jackson Memorial Stadium in August 1952. Not only did Henderson experience success at Forest and East Central, he also excelled as a member of the Maxwell