ITTA BENA – Mississippi Valley State University will be inducting six new members into the MVSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 13 on campus at the Harrison HPER Complex gymnasium.

The ceremony is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are $40. Tickets can be purchased by contacting James Hayes at 662-347-2218 or 662-335-3106. Payments can be mailed to 223 South Colorado Street, Greenville, MS 38703.

Hall of Fame inductees include: Harry Key (football), Fred Parker (football), Erica Scott (basketball), Arthur Haynes (baseball), Robert Williams (baseball) and William “Bill” Darden (baseball).

Harry Key played at MVSU from 1967-70 and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 17^th round of the 1970 Draft with the 417^th overall pick. At MVSU, he started his freshman season as a defensive end for the Delta Devils before moving to tight end during his final three years.  Key started in every game he played at MVSU.

Key then began his role as an educator in 1971 when he became a science teacher in Inkster, Mich. He continued his teaching career in Oakland, Calif. as a special education teacher and a health and physical education instructor. He also worked as a computer technology facilitator, where he taught students and adults basic and advanced computer skills.

He received his Masters of Arts degree in Education Administration from the University of Detroit in 1975 and a Doctorate of Ministry in 2005 from Friends International University. He organized the first MVSU Alumni Chapter in northern California and served as the first president.

Fred Parker signed as an undrafted free agent running back with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers and played one season with the team in 1987. The Heidelberg, Miss. native was named All-SWAC in 1984 and 1985. He currently serves as an instructor in the Garland Independent School District and head coach at Bussey Middle School in Garland, Texas.

Erica Scott is a former standout on the MVSU women’s basketball team. She played for former Devilette head coach Jessie Harris and started every game during her four-year career.  The Greenwood, Miss. native amassed 1,227 points and 968 rebounds during her career. During her senior campaign, she averaged 15.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. She was named to the Black College All-Freshman Team in 1992 and to the SWAC All-Tournament team in 1995. Her 12.1 rebounds lead the conference during her senior year. She was named All-SWAC and MVSU Female Athlete of the Year in 1996. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 1996, she has since served as a warrant office for the Greenwood Police Department.

Arthur Haynes was a three-year letterman for the MVSU baseball team from 1963-65 under former head coach John Dixon. The Moss Point, Miss. native eventually made a name for himself coaching high school basketball. He amassed a career coaching record of 1332-369 from 1968-2010 in Mississippi and Alabama. Moss Point High’s gymnasium was later renamed in his honor. During his time as a coach, he won a Big Eight state title and five South State championships. In 1968, he implemented Dixie Youth baseball at Magnolia High School.
 
Robert Williams lettered in baseball from 1964-68 at MVSU. He was the Delta Devils’ leading hitter and team captain from 67-68. Following his time at MVSU, he worked for Sunflower Elementary School from 1968 – 1980 as a physical education teacher, coach and assistant principal. He would later serve as a teacher, coach and assistant principal at O’Bannon High School in Greenville, Miss. He earned a bachelor’s of science degree from Valley in 1968 before obtaining two master’s degrees from Delta State in 1974 and 1978. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of State Coaching Association and president of the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

William Darden was a four-year letterman for the MVSU baseball team from 1962-66 while playing as an infielder. Darden was named All-SWAC in 1965-66. He also excelled in the classroom; Darden was named to the Dean’s List in each of his four years at Valley. In 2003, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, MVSU. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. named him Alpha Man of the Year in 2009.

Darden earned a bachelor of science degree from MVSU before obtaining his master’s from Southern Methodist University. He was a retired educator from the East Ramapo Central School District where he served as a teacher of life sciences and English as a Second Language (ESL) for 34 years at Pomona Junior High School. He also worked as a baseball coach for the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th grade teams. Darden was the school’s winningest baseball coach for two decades in Rockland County, New York.

Until his untimely death in October 2010, Darden served as a legislator in the Rockland County Legislature representing Legislative District No. 8. Upon his death, he received many additional honors including the Pomona Middle School named its library in honor of the well-loved educator; he was inducted into the Rockland County Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2011; and the Village of Spring Valley named a community center in honor of him in 2012.