Class of 2007 Inducted to MSU Hall of Fame

The class of 2007 was inducted into the Murray State Athletics Hall of Fame Friday at the Curris Center Ball Room.

The class of six former student-athletes represents a wide range of athletic pursuits and accomplishments.

Members of the 2007 class include: Jill Doty (Volleyball-Track & Field 1988-1993), Ronald “Popeye” Jones (Basketball 1989-1992), Jessica Widman (Golf 1996-2000), Dennis Jackson (Football-Track & Field 1960-1964), Gary Stephens (Rifle 1984-1988) and Tony Wretlund (Tennis 1985-1989).

Another aspect of the MSU Hall of Fame is when each class is inducted; their presenters add as much flavor to the proceedings as the inductees do.

MSU Golf coach Velvet Milkman said this of Jessica Widman, the first MSU women's golfer to go into the MSU Hall. “Not only did I have the privilege of recruiting and coaching her, she honored me with being able to introduce her tonight.”

“She's a true champion in all phases of her life,” Milkman added.

Widman was a three-time Ohio Valley Conference selection and an important part of the Racers three straight OVC titles 1997-1999. Widman was excellent in the classroom having been named to the NCAA All-Scholar Golf team.

Widman said, “I still remember my first SAAC meeting in the Racer Room and looked up and saw all the plaques on the wall for the Hall of Fame and I was secretly thinking that could be me someday.”

“If it was not for my father's love of golf, I wouldn't be here,” Widman added. “He made the game fun for me; he taught me the basics and sportsmanship.”

Dennis Jackson came to MSU as the first African-American student-athlete at the school and excelled in both football and track & field for the Racers. He was named All-OVC in football in 1964.

William Aaron Petty introduced Jackson.

“What I enjoyed about Dennis the most was his character,” Petty said. “Many people graduate and leave the community, Dennis never did that, he's always been involved.”

Jackson said he is indebted to Murray State.

“I had a dream as a little kid, that the MSU football stadium that I could not attend games at would let me play,” Jackson said. “Murray State is a unique place, I've talked to people who were the first African Americans to play at other universities and my experience here was great.”

“I had people here who were pulling for Dennis Jackson and that meant so much.”

Rifle student-athlete Gary Stephens has made his mark after his graduation from Murray State as a veteran in the United States Army and has risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was an NCAA All-American selection four years in a row and during his time at MSU, the Racers Rifle team won two NCAA titles and finished second twice.

Elvis Green, the Racers former coach praised Stephens and his accomplishments.

“He is a team player, not only here at Murray State but also in his military career,” Green said.

“You take all the experiences and memories and put them in your pocket and you go on and do the best you can do,” Stephens said. “I try to do by best with my family and in the military and I learned how to do that at MSU.”

Tennis player Tony Wretlund was part of the four straight OVC title teams for the Racers and he played for legend Bennie Purcell.

“When he arrived it didn't take long to see that he was going to make me a good coach,” Purcell said. “He took himself to the highest level whether it was in practice or in a match.”

Indeed, Wretlund won more than 100 career singles matches and played at the number one position on the MSU team for four straight seasons.

“I realized easily how important MSU was going to be me shortly after I arrived here,” Wretlund said. “Coach Purcell talked about preparation and effort; he told us that when we had graduated and were out on our own, some things he was telling us we wouldn't understand at that moment. I understand those things now and I thank him for the way he coached us.”

Jill Doty was one of the original two-sport stars at Murray State. She was a volleyball first-team All-OVC selection and held several program records when she finished. She was also a talented track & field performer at MSU, and is the first MSU Volleyball player to be inducted into the MSU Hall.

Her former coach Margaret Simmons introduced her and praised her for her work ethic.

Doty thanked her family first.

“Thanks to my dad for being a roll model and thanks to my mom for being my best friend,” Doty said. “This was the place that was my home away from home, where everyone knew my name.”

Ronald “Popeye” Jones arrived at Murray State as a so-called diamond in the rough, and he certainly shined bright. He was a three-time All-OVC selection and was named the league's Athlete of the Year. He's the all-time leading rebounder and fourth on the scoring list at MSU. He enjoyed a 12-year professional career and played in the NBA for the Mavericks, Raptors, Celtics, Nuggets, Wizards and Warriors.

His former coach Steve Newton called Popeye Jones a “blessing from above.”

“His signing here was a significant event in the history of Murray State athletics,” Newton added.

“I couldn't run and couldn't jump, but I always found a way to get the job done,” Jones joked. “Even when I went to the NBA, guys would look at me and say “how do you get rebounds” they all thought I had magnets in my hands!”

Jones also thanked Jeff Martin, MSU's leading scorer who was in attendance.

“You led by example and helped me be the best player I could be,” Jones said.

Murray State University Athletics

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