North OKC News

The Langston University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce this year's inductees into the Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame. Potential candidates were submitted and reviewed by a panel that includes current Langston University faculty and staff and former Langston University alumni, faculty, and staff.

James Hilliard, Jr.

James Hilliard, Jr. recently completed his 32nd season leading the Langston University men's and women's track and field team teams. Hilliard, Jr. also served for 25 years as the head cross-country coach. During his time leading the Lions and Lady Lions, he has taken the track and field program to unparalleled highs which includes a total of 70 NAIA Women's Track and Field All-Americans and 84 NAIA Men's Track and Field All-Americans.

In the 154 NAIA Track and Field All-Americans, Hilliard, Jr. has coached 12 NAIA National Champions which includes the 2005 Langston University Women's 4X100 relay (Darnehsa Sellers, Tasia Galbreth, Tatiana Simon, Dominque McDonald), Brandee' Means in the 600M (2009 Outdoor), Julius Koger in the long jump (2009 Indoor), Mario McCottrell in the 600M (2009, 2010, 2011 Indoor), William Moses in the high jump (2007 Indoor, 2009 Indoor, 2009 Outdoor), Clyde Young in the 60H (2011 Indoor) and David Walters 60M (2013 Indoor). Most recently, ZaChaeus Beard won the 60-meter dash NAIA National Championship and set the national record with a final time of 6.61.

Additionally, Hilliard, Jr. led the way in establishing Langston's dominance in the Red River Athletic Conference where they won the RRAC Track and Field Championships eight times on the women's side (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014),four times on the men's side (2005, 2008, 2010, 2013) and boasted 77 RRAC Championships and 300 All-RRAC Selections.

Julius Koger

Julius Koger attended Langston University from 2007-2012 and joined the Lions track and field program in 2007 as a walk-on and worked on becoming the most nationally decorated men's track and field athletes in Langston history. Koger is a nine-time All-American for Langston and holds the distinction of being the first (NAIA) indoor long jump national champion in Langston University history with a school record of 24-04.0.

Koger also holds the school record for the outdoor 200-meter (20.88) and is a member of the school record 4X100-meter relay (40.42), and both school record 4X400 relays, indoor (3:13.73) and outdoor (3:08.67). He also has a personal record in the high jump of 6-10.25. He was a member of the highest national finishing team, which placed fourth in the 2009 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Additionally, he was a Red River Athletic Conference champion in multiple events (200-meter, high jump, twice in the long jump, 4X100 relay and 4X400 relay) and was also named RRAC MVP.

Koger graduated from LU with bachelor's degree in Mathematics and is currently pursuing his Master's in Urban Education. He's currently starting his fifth year as the Langston University assistant coach for sprints, jumps and relays.

2005 Women's 4X100 Relay Team

Darnesha Sellers, Tasia Galbreath, Tatiana Simon and Dominique McDonald were Langston University's first and to date only women's National Championship team. The team ran a then school record of 45.89 at the 2005 NAIA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships in Louisville, Ky.

Between them (Sellers, Galbreath, Simon, McDonald) they have 20 All-American honors, 26 Indoor National Qualifying marks and 38 Outdoor National Qualifying marks. During the 2005 Championships they were the only women's relay team to run sub-46 seconds in both the semi-finals and finals. Simon also broke her own 100-meter school record finishing third in a time of 11.83 seconds. Other school record holders from the team include McDonald who still holds the school Indoor 200-meter record with a time of 25.06 seconds.

Additionally, Sellers, Galbreath, Simon and McDonald all graduated with their degrees from Langston University.

Malaika Warren

Malaika Warren attended Langston University from 1990-1994 and was a member of the Langston women's basketball team under former Langston head coach Abron Young, Jr. At the conclusion of her career, Warren left an indelible mark on Langston University women's basketball history by being named Freshman NAIA All-American (1990-91), NAIA All-American fourth team (1991-92) and NAIA All-American first team (1992-93).

Additionally, she was named District-9 Player of the Year (1992-93, First Team All-OIC (1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94) First Team All-District-9 (1992-93) and Honorable Mention All-District-9 (1991-92). Warren is currently second All-Time in Langston Women's Basketball history in career points (1954) and rebounds (1,101).

Nathaniel Jones

Nathaniel 'Nate' Jones attended Langston University from 2000-2003 and was a member of the Langston men's basketball program and played under former head coach Greg Webb. At the conclusion of his playing career, Jones finished in the top-10 in several categories which included fifth overall in career scoring (1,397 points), fifth overall in career steals (137) and seventh overall in career rebounding (540 rebounds).

Additionally, Jones was named NAIA Honorable Mention All-American twice (2001-02, 2002-03), Red River Athletic Conference first team (2001-02, 2002-03) and RRAC player of the week three times during the 2001-02 season. Following his time at Langston, Jones played in the USBL for the Enid Storm, in La Rioja, Argentina where he was named first team All-Liga B for three years and the ABA for two years for the West Texas Whirlwinds.

Jarriel Vicks

Jarriel Vicks attended and played at Langston University from 1999-2003 and was a member of the Langston men's basketball program under former head coach Greg Webb. During his time suiting up for the Langston Lions, Vicks was a four-year starter and team captain for three years and finished as a top-10 historical in category leader.

Vicks ranked first overall in career assists (331), second in career three-point attempts (433) third in career three-pointers made (128) and fourth in career steals (137) at the conclusion of his playing career. He was named the inaugural Red River Athletic Defensive of the Player (2002-03) and RRAC All-Conference second team (2002-03), third team (2001-02) and honorable mention (2000-01).

The Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame has been created to honor and recognize those individuals involved with Langton University's Department of Athletics who distinguished themselves through outstanding achievement in intercollegiate competition and personal endeavors. The Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, former coaches, athletic department personnel, alumni, teams, coaches and/or sports professionals who through leadership and character have made exceptional contributions to the honor and prestige of Langston University in the field of athletics as well as those who have rendered extraordinary service, leadership and/or support contributing directly to the success of student-athletes within the Langston University Department of Athletics.

 

These awards are presented to individuals who have continued to demonstrate in their daily lives the values imparted through intercollegiate athletics.  A minimum of five years must have passed since their last collegiate competition.

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