WSSU Athletic History
Winston-Salem State University has
a long-standing history of athletic
excellence, garnering awards and
athletic achievement at both the
Conference and National levels.
WSSU has excelled not only in the
traditional sports of basketball and
football, but has received national
prestige for Softball, Track and Field,
and Wrestling as well.
Outstanding teams are not WSSU’s
only claim to fame as members of
the coaching staffs of these teams
are some of the most legendary
coaches in NCAA history, led by
Clarence “Big House” Gaines who
is currently ranked fifth on the alltime career wins list behind Adolph
Rupp (Kansas), Dean Smith (North
Carolina), Bobby Knight (University of
Indiana/Texas Tech) and Jim Phelan
(Mt. St. Mary’s).
The Rams and Lady Rams are currently
entering the third year of a five-year
process that will transition WinstonSalem State University’s Department
of Athletics from the NCAA Division
II level to the nation’s highest level of
Intercollegiate Athletic competition
as the Rams and Lady Rams move
to NCAA Division I status (FootballChampionship Subdivision).
Although the Rams will be departing
a conference to which they were a
charter member and to which they
amassed 61 years of outstanding
history, the WSSU Department of
Athletics is eager to work closely
with the National Collegiate Athletic
Association and the Mid-Eastern
Athletic Conference as the Rams and
Lady Rams embark on the third of
five transition years as they attempt
to write history and compete at the
NCAA Division I level.
WSSU Championships
Basketball (Men)
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1953 1957 1960 1961
1963
1966 1970 1977
1999 2000
NCAA Division II National Champions
1967
Football
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1977 1978 1987 1988
1990
1991 1999 2000
Wrestling
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1981 1982 1983 1984
1985
1988 1989 1990
Softball
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1984 1985 1986 1997
2000
Track and Field
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1959 1960 NAIA Champions:
1959 1960
Golf (Men)
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Champions (CIAA)
1959 1960 1961 1962
1963
1964
1994
Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Records
Clarence Gaines
1946-1993
8 CIAA Titles
828 Wins
447 Losses
1 National Championship
.649 Winning %
Thomas Snowden
1993-1995
17 Wins
35 Losses
.326 Winning %
Sam Hanger
1995-1998
36 Wins
45 Losses
.444 Winning %
Rick Duckett
1998-2001
2 CIAA Titles
74 Wins
18 Losses
.804 Winning %
3 NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances
Philip Stitt
2001 - 2006 113 Wins
61 Losses
.649 Winning %
Two NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances (Most Recently 2005)
Bobby Collins
2006-Present 5 Wins
24 Losses
.172 Winning %
Totals
1945-Present 1073 Wins
630 Losses
.630 Winning %
Football Coaches’ Records
Howard “Brutus” Wilson
1942-1945
Wins N/A
Losses N/A
Clarence “Big House” Gaines
1946-1949
20 Wins
12 Losses
4 Ties
Thomas “Tank” Conrad
1950-1969
79 Wins
80 Losses
9 Ties
Cleo Wallace
1970-1975
22 Wins
36 Losses
1 Tie
William “Bill” Hayes
1976-1987
89 Wins
41 Losses
Three CIAA Titles (1977, 1978, 1987)
2 Ties
Pete Richardson
1988-1992
41 Wins
14 Losses
Three CIAA Titles (1988, 1990, 1991)
1 Tie
Kermit Blount
1993-Present
3 Ties
81 Wins
64 Losses
Two CIAA Titles (1999, 2000)
1 Pioneer Bowl Championship (1999)
Total
1942-Present
.556 Winning %
 10 
334 Wins
245 Losses
21 Ties
WSSU Athletic History
All-Time All-CIAA Players (Men’s Basketball):
1955-Jack Defares
1959-Cleo Hill
1963-Theodore Blount
1964-Richard Glover
1967-Earl Monroe
1968-Eugene Smiley
1972-Sandy Smith
1974-Harold Kitt
1976-Thomas Paulin
1978-Reginald Gaines
1979-David Harold
1984-Tony Russell
1987-Alexander Hooper
1990-Jonathon Hardin
1999-Tyrone Thomas
2002-Marcus Best
1956-Jack Defares
1960-Cleo Hill
1963-Richard Glover
1965-Theodore Blount
1967-Howard Ridgill
1969-William English
1972-Earl Williams
1974-Earl Williams
1976-Carlos Terry
1978-Michael Robinson
1980-Reginald Gaines
1985-Linwood Gorham
1987-Charlie Spell
1991-Jonathon Hardin
2000-Larry Patterson
2004-Audly Wehner
1957-Jack Defares
1961-Cleo Hill
1964-Theodore Blount
1965-Earl Monroe
1967-Earl Monroe
1970-Donald Williams
1973-Arthur Chavious
1975-Thomas Paulin
1977-Donald Helton
1978-Carlos Terry
1980-Michael Robison
1986-Alex Hooper
1988-Charlie Spell
1995-Phenizee Ransom
2001-Marcus Best
2005-Audly Wehner
1958-Wilford John
1962-George Foree
1964-Willie Curry
1966-Tom Cunningham
1968-William English
1971-Sandy Smith
1973-Sandy Smith
1976-Donald Helton
1977-Carlos Terry
1979-Reginald Gaines
1982-Therman Greene
1987-Gary Cromartie
1990-Toby Baber
1997-Darryl Hardy
2001-Tony Williams
2005-Alleggrie Guinn
All-Time All-CIAA Players (Women’s Basketball):
1976-Brenda Winfield
1979-Linda Lee
1984-Carolyn Huntley
1987-Carolyn Huntley
1992-Angela Courtney
1997-Chelia Nelson
2002-Tiffany Whitted
2006-Shalonda Carter
1977-Brenda Winfield
1979-Phyllis Dabbs
1985-Keenan Menefee
1988-Angela Henderson
1993-Kendra Horne
1998-Kesha Broadnax
2002-Lori Shelby
1978-Lauriece Jenkins
1980-Phyllis Dabbs
1985-Carolyn Huntley
1989-Brenda Maxwell
1995-Chelia Nelson
1999-Erica Leggett
2003-Lori Shelby
1979-Lauriece Jenkins
1980-Brenda Winfield
1986-Carolyn Huntley
1991-Angela Courtney
1996-Chelia Nelson
2001-Tiffany Whitted
2003-Lashonda Horton
Offensive Line
Defensive Back
Donald Evans
DE/Tackle
Jack Cameron
Donald Frank
Wide Receiver
Defensive Back
Oronde Gadsen
Richard Huntley
Wide Receiver
Running Back
Arrington Jones
Bill Murell
Tim Newsome
Alvin Powell
Running Back
Tight End
Running Back
Offensive Guard
Bobby Shaw
Yancey Thigpen
Wide Receiver
Wide Receiver
Tory Woodbury
Quarterback
National Award Winners (Football)
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-Americans:
Cornelius Washington
DB
1977
Timmy Newsome
Danny Moore
OG
1984
Barry Turner
Richard Huntley
RB
1995
Latori Workman
Thomas Washington
DL
1999
Stephon Kelly
RB
C
DL
FS
1978
1987
1996
2001
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District/Regional Coach of Year:
Bill Hayes
District III College Division 1977
Bill Hayes
District III College Division 1978
Pete Richardson
Region II College Division 1989
Blue-Gray Game Participants:
Timmy Nesome
RB
Richard Huntley
RB
1979
1995
Arrington Jones
Stephon Kelly
RB
FS
1980
2001
NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Winners:
Eddie Sauls
DL
1984
All-Time All-CIAA Players (Football)
First Team All CIAA Players:
Shawn Colvin
DB
Niam Moore
DB
William Barringer
OL
Richard Huntley
RB
LaTori Workman
DL
Shawn Colvin
DB
Eric McDavid
OL
Taiwan Everette
LB
Shawn Thomas
K
Thomas Washington
DL
Shawn Thomas
K
Carnell Brown
LB
Brian Andrews
OL
Calvin Bryant
LB
Stephon Kelly
S
Ronald Pegues
OL
Tory Woodbury
QB
Robert Mackey
DE
Ashton Oakley
K
Marcus McNair
OL
Willie “Pedie” Byrd
RB
Ahmad Ibrahim
OL
Brandon Free
WR
Anthony Robinson
DL
Emmanuel Akah
OL
Martin Hicks
RB
Phillip Betts
DL
Jason Holman
DL
1993
1993
1994
1994
1995
1996
1996
1997
1997
1998
1999
1999
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2003
2004
2004
2004
2005
Kelly Goodman
Rodney Witherspoon
Oronde Gadsen
Richard Huntely
LaTori Workman
Eric Hendley
Eric McDavid
Brian Hurlocker
Thomas Washington
Thomas Washington
Brian Andrews
Terrie Newkirk
Terrie Newkirk
Errick Hargrove
Robert Mackey
Cory Williams
Stephon Kelly
Marcus McNair
Arnell Wooten
Brandon Free
Martin Hicks
Marcus McNair
Martin Hicks
Brandon Hussey
Brian Scott
Jerrick “Jed” Bines
Martin Hicks
Jerome Dunbar
OL
DE
WR
RB
DL
RB
OL
OL
DL
DL
OL
RB
RB
DB
DE
DL
FS
OL
TE
WR
KR
OL
RB
PR
OL
RB
RB
OL
Rams In The NFL
Emmanuel Akah
Anthony Blaylock
1993
1993
1994
1995
1996
1996
1997
1997
1997
1999
1999
1999
2000
2000
2000
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2002
2003
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
 11 
2006-Present
1988-90
1991
1992
1993
1987
1988
1990-93
1994-95
1984
1990-93
1994
1995
1998-2003
1996-97
1998-00
2001
1981
1979
1980-88
1987-88
1989
1970
1992-97
1998-00
2001-03
2003
2004
Miami Dolphins
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland/San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
Chicago Bears
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Jets
Chicago Bears
San Diego Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons
Pittsburgh Steelers
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
St. Louis Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tennessee Titans
New York Jets
Denver Broncos
Buffalo Bills
WSSU and the NAIA
WSSU’s History With The NAIA
(National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
Prior to the Rams’ 61 years of membership
in the CIAA, Winston-Salem State University
excelled in the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The NAIA
held national championships starting
in 1937 at City Municipal Auditorium.
However, the Rams, and all Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s)
were not admitted to the NAIA until 1953.
The Rams played versus NAIA competition
in the days prior to their involvement, but
were not a recognized member of the NAIA
during that period. WSSU joined the CIAA
in 1945 as a charter member and as a
member of NCAA Division II (previously the
small college/university division).
The Rams continued their membership in
the CIAA and Division II until 1953 when
all HBCUs (regardless of locale) were
placed in District 29 of the NAIA. The
Rams continued (as did most schools)
as members of both the NCAA and the
NAIA. The 16-year old NAIA allowed for
dual membership as both an NAIA school
and an NCAA school, a distinction that the
Rams kept until 1983 when they ceased
their membership in the NAIA and became
solely a member of the NCAA (Division II).
During the 30-year NAIA membership, the
Rams captured six NAIA District 29 men’s
basketball titles and as a result participated
in the NAIA National Championship
Tournament. The Rams won District 29
titles in 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1975
and 1978. During those six appearances,
the Rams won nine games and lost six for
a winning percentage of .600.
WSSU never advanced past the quarterfinal
round of the tournament and never placed
in the top four in any of their six years of
participation. However, the Rams did
capture the #1 seed in the 1978 season
before being upset by Kearney State in the
quarterfinals (89-76).
WSSU’s Game-By-Game Breakdown of NAIA Tournament
Participation:
(15 Games, Nine Wins, Six Losses)
YEAR
TEAMS
1961
(9) Winston-Salem State 95, Westminster (Utah) 70
1961
(9) Winston-Salem State 86, West Virginia State 76
1961
(9) Winston-Salem State 33, Westminster (PA) 35
1962
(4) Winston-Salem State 83, Indiana State 71
1962
(4) Winston-Salem State 50, (8) Southeastern Oklahoma 59
1963
(3) Winston-Salem State 60, Transylvania (KY) 64
1965
(11) Winston-Salem State 87, St. Norbert (Wisconsin) 69
1965
(11) Winston-Salem State 78, High Point 62
1965
(11) Winston-Salem State 62, Oklahoma Baptist 71
1975
(11) Winston-Salem State 82, Eastern Montana 75
1975
(11) Winston-Salem State 57, Central Washington 56
1975
(11) Winston-Salem State 59, St. Mary’s (CA) 67
1978
(1) Winston-Salem 77, Bethany Nazarene (Oklahoma) 61
1978
(1) Winston-Salem 64, Briar Cliff 63
1978
(1) Winston-Salem State 76, Kearney State 89
RESULT
Win
Win
Loss
Win
Loss
Loss
Win
Win
Loss
Win
Win
Loss
Win
Win
Loss
WSSU NAIA Individual National Champions:
YEAR
1958
1958
1959
1958
1959
1959
1960
EVENT
3000 Meter Steeplechase
110-Yard High Hurdles
120-Yard High Hurdles
440-Yard Hurdles
440-Yard Hurdles
Triple Jump
Triple Jump
YEAR
1957
1958
1958
1958
1958
1960
1960
1960
1960
1960
1961
1961
1962
1964
1964
1966
1966
1967
1968
1969
1973
1977
1977
1978
1978
1978
1979
1980
1982
1983
1984
NAME
Elias Gilbert
Godfrey Mathews
Elias Gilbert
Francis Washington
Joseph Middleton
Charles Lewis
Carl Brown
Fran Washington
Joseph Middleton
Godfrey Moore
Godfrey Moore
Cleo Hill
George Foree
Everett Payne
Ted Blunt
Leon Coleman
Earl Monroe
Earl Monroe
William English
William English
James Davis
Cornelius Washington
Robert Weeks
Timmy Newsome
Carlos Terry
Willie Jordan
Timmy Newsome
Reggie Gaines
Jonathan Nimmons
Jonathan Nimmons
Stanley King
ATHLETE
Godfrey Matthews (9:50.4)
Elias Gilbert (13.6)
Elias Gilbert (14.6)
Francis Washington (51.5)
Elias Gilbert (53.6)
Godfrey Moore (48’ 2.5”)
Godfrey Moore (47’ 5”)
WSSU NAIA All-Americans
 12 
HONOR
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American
All-American - 1st Team
All-American - 3rd Team
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 3rd Team
All-American
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 1st Team
All-American - 3rd Team
All-American - 3rd Team
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 1st Team
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 1st Team
All-American - 1st Team
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 2nd Team
All-American - 1st Team
All-American
All-American - 1st Team
All-American
SPORT
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Division I Men’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
Football
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
Football
Division I Football
Division I Football
Division I Football
Men’s Basketball
Division I Football
Division I Football
Men’s Basketball
Division I Football
Division I Football
Men’s Outdoor Track/Field