HOUSTON – Two of Prairie View A&M's greats, Clifton Gilliard and Patricia Jackson, were a part of the class of 2017 Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Thursday night.
The nine-member class included Alcorn State's James Williams and Roynell Young, Alabama State's Shameka Jackson, Mississippi Valley State's William Brown (posthumous), Texas Southern's Dr. Dwalah Fisher, Southern's Dr. David Ponton, Jr., and Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Wallace Francis.
Gilliard was inducted in the PVAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, and was also inducted with the 1958 championship team in 2015. Gilliard was a three-year football letterman and earned All-SWAC honors playing halfback on the third HBCU national championship team in school history under legendary coach William 'Billy' Nicks.
Gilliard's impact on Prairie View A&M was felt in athletics as well as academics. Gilliard served The Hill as head men's cross country and track and field coach, was head football coach for one season, and also spent time as Interim Athletics Director. Gilliard had two stints as an assistant football coach, and was also an assistant track coach. Between his times working at the University, Gilliard served as principal at nearby Hempstead High School.
"This was a great honor for my dad and our family," stated Reginald 'Bo' Gilliard, son of the late Gillard. "This is like the last chapter of my dad's life. I thank Prairie View and the SWAC for sending him off and we would like to say thank you. I am so honored to just be a part of this occasion. I just want to thank Prairie View for putting him up for this honor and again I really appreciate it."
Jackson was a record-setting track and field athlete at Prairie View A&M, graduating as one of the most accomplished sprinters in the nation. After an outstanding career at Muskogee (Okla.) High in which she set state records in the 100, 220, and 440 yd relay, Jackson came to Prairie View A&M and became a four-time conference champion and five-time All-America under SWAC and PVAMU Hall of Famer Barbara Jacket.
A 2006 inductee into the PVAMU Sports Hall of Fame, Jackson holds the conference record in the 400m dash -- a time which has stood since 1978. A member of the Lady Panthers' 1979 AIAW national championship track team, Jackson won the national championship in the 400 meters in 1979. In that same year, she was a member of the 1979 mile relay team which set the American and World Record.
"This is a great honor and privilege to be inducted in the SWAC Hall of Fame," said the newly inducted Patricia Jackson. "It's been 41 years and to think that my race and mark I set back in 1978 is still standing. This is quite an honor. Usually most are awarded after they are deceased. I am glad that God has blessed me to be able to see this award and to be able to accept it myself rather than someone else. It's really a honor to know all these other inductees. Wow! Wow is all I can say I'm so excited."
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