JCJC adds three to Sports Hall of Fame

By Shawn Wansley, JCJC Sports Information Director

September 07, 2008 12:51 pm

— ELLISVILLE — It was an evening full of memories, laughter, a few tears and fellowship as Jones County Junior College added three more members to its Bobcat Sports Hall of Fame.
Randall A. Boone, John A. Perkins and Eugene C. “Gene” Tullos were inducted in a ceremony held here Friday night before an audience of over 250 at the Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center.
“These gentlemen have set the pace and the standard for the athletes today at our college,” said JCJC President Dr. Jesse Smith. “They took care of business, not only in athletics, but in life.”
Boone played basketball on the 1951-52 and 1952-53 teams. He averaged 24 points per game with the Bobcats and was selected as an All-State performer. The Sharon High School graduate went to Mississippi College after leaving JCJC and went on to a successful career in the insurance business. He was also inducted in the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame last spring.
“In life, they say there are two major things that happen to you: You are born and you die,” said Boone, who was introduced by Wendell Gavin. “In between those major events, you have what I call ‘red-letter days.’ Things like graduating from college, getting married and, of course, your children being born. Today is one of those ‘red-letter days’ for this country boy from Sharon.”
Tullos graduated from Raleigh High School in 1960 and played on the 1960-61 and 1961-62 basketball teams at JCJC. The Bobcats won the South Division Tournament in 1961 and the South Division regular season title in 1962.
Tullos was elected “Mr. Jones County Junior College” and was also named “Mr. Basketball” by The Radionian at JCJC. He was also the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award. He went on to Mississippi College after leaving Jones and started both seasons for the Choctaws. He graduated from the Ole Miss Law School in 1966 and still practices law today in Raleigh.
“I came here in the fall of 1960,” said Tullos, who was introduced by Jim Kelly. “I had never seen so many tall buildings or so many people in my life. I thought I was at Harvard University.
“I had a great experience at Jones. We had some great teams and I had some outstanding teammates. Coach (A.B.) Howard did an excellent job with us. We were all very good friends and we have remained friends through the years.”
Perkins, a Calhoun High School graduate, was an All-State and All-American football player for the Bobcats. He played on the 1953-55 teams and was named the state’s Most Valuable Player as a tackle in 1954. He was a member of the 1955 team that participated in the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
Perkins, who now resides in Milledgeville, Ga., went on to Southern Mississippi where he played in 1957-58 and was a member of the undefeated 1958 national championship team. He then played two years of professional football in the AFL and NFL. He is a member of the NJCAA Hall of Fame, the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame, the USM Sports Hall of Fame and was named to USM’s All-Century team.
“It was a pleasure to attend Jones,” said Perkins, who was introduced by Sidney “Buck”Anderson. “I still love Jones Junior College and I keep up with it. I am still a Mississippi boy at heart.
“I made my living manufacturing plywood and hardwood lumber. I enjoyed it and I used all of the skills I learned at Jones Junior College to be successful.”
Howard, who was a member of the inaugural Bobcat Sports Hall of Fame class, was in attendance and addressed the crowd.
“Being able to have young men, follow them in life, see them develop and accomplish what they have accomplished — this is one of the rewards you get as a coach,” said Howard, who was inducted last year along with Sim Cooley and Joe Flowers. “I have the greatest regard for these three men we honor tonight. In fact, they enriched my life — not only them, but also their teammates.
“I feel so blessed by God that I had such an opportunity to work with such fine young men.”

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