Former Alcorn State University football standout Dr. Dennis E. Thomas was named one of 12 inductees in the 2010 class of the Alcorn State University Sports Hall of Fame, it was announced today.

Thomas and his fellow inductees will be enshrined at a ceremony at the Vicksburg Convention Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi on Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m.

" It is always an honor to be recognized by you alma mater, said Thomas." "I have treasured my days and experiences at Alcorn State. I look forward to being a part of an outstanding class of inductees."

The Heidelberg, Mississippi native made history in 1973 as the first and only offensive lineman to be named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Year.

He finished his collegiate football career as a three-year letterman at Alcorn State, a two-time Pittsburgh Courier First Team All-American, First Team Black Mutual Sports Network All-American, and Outstanding College Athlete of America (1974).

Thomas coached and played under the legendary Marino "The Godfather" Casem.

Thomas has served as the commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) since 2002.
Under his leadership, he brought on board Russell Athletic Corporation, Coca-Cola, State Farm, NIKE, Wachovia, ESPN and Colgate Palmolive as corporate sponsors of the MEAC.

In 2010, he orchestrated the purchase of the conference's new office building location in Norfolk, Virginia.

Thomas was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2003 and was one of 15 members inducted into the inaugural Hampton University (Va.) Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

Joining Thomas in the 2010 induction class are: Charles Beckwith (baseball and football), Albert D. Clark, Sr. (baseball), Lemarcus Collins (track), Leonard C. Fairley (football), Cleophus Johnson (football), Tony Hampton (football and track), Bobby Hill (baseball), Malachi McGruder (track), James O. Nelson, Jr. (football and track), Larry Warren (football), and Ernest P. Young (football).