Class Of 2007 To Be Inducted Into MSU Athletics Hall Of Fame

Murray State Athletics Director Allen Ward announced the 2007 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame class that includes six of the greatest student-athletes in school history. The group will be inducted Friday, Jan. 19.

The 2007 class includes; Ronald “Popeye” Jones from men's basketball, Dennis Jackson from Football and Track & Field, Jessica Widman of MSU women's golf, Gary Stephens from rifle, Tony Wretlund from tennis, and Jill Doty from volleyball and track & field.

Widman is the first MSU women's golfer to be inducted and Doty is the first MSU volleyball player.

“We are proud to be honoring this group of former Racer student-athletes,” Ward said. “Each member of this class represents the ideal of what it means to be a student-athlete. They're all very deserving of this honor, and it will be a memorable time when they're inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in January.”

The banquet and induction ceremony will be at the Curris Center third floor ballroom. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling Crystal Morrow at 270-809-3746. Availability is limited and reservations are required. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:30 and the Ceremony at 7:00.

The 2007 class will also be honored at the Murray State-UT-Martin basketball game on Jan. 20 at the Regional Special Events Center.

Here is more on each member of the 2007 Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Ronald “Popeye” Jones ? Men's Basketball (1989-1992)
Jones endeared himself to MSU basketball fans after he arrived from Dresden, Tenn. as a freshman in 1989. He finished his career as a three-time All-OVC selection and was named OVC Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991. Jones was honored as the OVC's Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992. He is one of only seven MSU men's basketball players to have his jersey retired, his number 54 hangs in the rafters of the

Regional Special Events Center. Popeye ranks fourth on MSU's all-time scoring list with 2,057 points. He is also MSU's all-time leader in rebounds with 1,374, and led the nation in that category in the 90-91 season. He is the only player in MSU history to record more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Jones went on to play 12 years in the National Basketball Association including stops with the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors.

Dennis Jackson ? Football, Track & Field (1960-1964)
In 1960 Jackson became the first African American student-athlete at MSU. He was an all-around player competing as a receiver, tailback and safety in football and also was an excellent performer in track & field. Jackson was part of the Murray State 4 X 100 meter relay team that had the best time in the southeast region. He was named to the All-OVC Football team in 1964. Jackson who lives in Paducah, Ky., has served as an administrator for Paducah Public Schools. He was inducted into Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. He worked as an official for 25 years and worked 12 state boys, and three state girls' basketball championships.

Tony Wretlund -Men's Tennis (1985, 1987-89)
He is one of only two Racers to play at number one singles his entire career and was twice named OVC Player of the Year. Wretlund was named to the OVC's All-Time Tennis Team while still a junior. In 1988, he was ranked as high as eighth in NCAA Region three. Tony finished his career with a 112-52 singles record, which included a 50-3 record in conference singles play. Wretlund was also part of the MSU program that won

every league title in the 1980's. He lives in Phoenix, Ariz. and works as a insurance-benefits administrator.

Jessica Widman - Women's Golf (1996-2000)
Widman was a three-time first team OVC All-Conference selection and an important part of the Racers three OVC Championship teams (1997, 1998, 1999). She was the first player in the MSU program to be selected (alternate) for NCAA Regional Tournament. She earned 25 career top 10 finishes and was named to 15 All Tournament teams. Widman excelled in the classroom and was a three-time selection to NCAA All Scholar

Golf Team. She graduated from MSU in May 2000 Magna Cum Laude and was named Outstanding Student in Economics. She was a four time recipient of OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll. Widman-Grace is a teacher and resides Henderson, Ky. With her husband Nathan and son Aidan.

Gary Stephens - Rifle (1984-1988)
He was a NCAA All-American selection four years in a row. Stephens was named NCAA second-team in the smallbore rifle in 1985, 1986, 1987. He was a first team NCAA All-American in rifle in 1986, 1987 and 1988. During Stephens time with the MSU Rifle program they won two NCAA championships and finished second twice.

Jill Doty - Volleyball & Track, 1988-1993
She was one of the original two-sport student-athletes at Murray State. In Volleyball, Doty was named to the OVC Freshman Team in 1988. She was All-OVC second team in 1988 and first team in 1990 and 1991. When Doty finished, she held seven MSU program records, and she still holds several records today. In track, Doty was part of the team that set the MSU indoor sprint medley relay record and outdoor 400 meter relay record in 1993. She was honored as a GTE Academic All District Team Award winner in 1991. Doty was awarded the OVC Academic Medal of Honor in 1993. Doty-Misner resides with her husband Brad and daughter Madison in Carbondale, Ill. where she is a teacher at Unity Point Elementary.

Murray State University Athletics

Class Of 2007 To Be Inducted Into MSU Athletics Hall Of Fame

Players Mentioned

Crystal Morrow

Allen Ward

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