University of the District of Columbia Honors 6th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class
WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia Department of Athletics is proud to announce the 6th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class: Stanley Black, Adrian Dixon, Donald Huff, Ralph Neal and Bradford Tatum.
The Athletics Hall of Fame celebration was held on February 24th, 2017 at the UDC Student Center Ballroom.
The event, which included a reception, dinner and induction ceremony, was attended by more than 140 Firebird Athletics supporters. The Master of Ceremony was James "Butch" McAdams, University of the District of Columbia, Class of 1981. The evening also featured remarks from President Ronald Mason, Jr., J.D. and Director of Athletics, Patricia Thomas.
All five inductees were represented in a photographic slideshow and each inductee (or a representative of the inductee for those were inducted posthumously) was given the opportunity to speak at the podium. All who attended Friday night were also entitled to free admission to Saturday's Firebirds basketball doubleheader vs. the University of Bridgeport.
University of the District of Columbia 6th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Class:
Stanley Black
District of Columbia Teachers College – 1969
Basketball Student-Athlete
Stanley Black was a four-year men's basketball student-athlete at DC Teacher's College and graduated in 1969. He was the 1969 Reslyn W. Henley Award winner. A four-year starter for the basketball team, he led the team to three straight conference championships. He averaged 15.0 points and 18.0 rebounds per-game in 1967 and was the nation's top rebounder that season. He was also team captain for the 1967-68 season and named "Man of the Year" by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity in 1967-68 as well.
Adrian Dixon
University of the District of Columbia – 1977-1981
Head Track & Field Coach
Adrian Dixon was Head Track & Field Coach at the University of the District of Columbia from 1977-81. During his tenure at UDC, Dixon coached All-American and UDC Hall of Famer Liz Young McNair and Carolyn Brinkley. He also coached the Olympic Sports Festival Team in 1988 and was an assistant on the Olympic team in 1980. Dixon also started the Girls' Track & Field program at Coolidge High School where he coached girls and boys for over 30 years and won over 60 championships in cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field.
Donald Huff
District of Columbia Teachers College – 1968
Sports Information Director
While a student and later as a graduate of District of Columbia Teachers College, Donald Huff served as the men's basketball team's score keeper and statistician from 1963-1973. During that time, DC Teachers College never had a losing season and captured six MIC & PIC Championships. After his work at DCTC, Huff became the first black high school sports reporter hired by the Washington Post. He worked for the Post for 23 years where he did such a stellar job bringing a focus to area high school athletics that the paper created an award named in his honor – the "Donald Huff Award" - to recognize contributions made to local athletics by individuals who are often rarely credited for their efforts. Upon retiring from the Post, Huff came to UDC where he served as the Sports Information Director and later became the school's Athletic Director.
Ralph Neal
District of Columbia Teachers College – 1963
Head Football Coach
Ralph Neal was the Head Football Coach for one season (1971) and Assistant Football Coach for two seasons (1969 & 1970) at District of Columbia Teachers College. As head coach, Neal turned a struggling football program into a winning program with a 5-3 record in 1971. He is a 1963 graduate of DCTC with a degree in Health and Physical Education, and he received his Master's degree in 1970 from George Washington University in 1970.
Bradford Tatum
Miner Teachers College - 1942
Basketball and Swimming Student-Athlete
Bradford Tatum was a basketball and swimming student-athlete at Miner Teachers College and graduated in 1942. Prior to MTC, he was the Life Saving Trials Junior Champion twice in 1933 and the Senior Champion in 1936. He also won ribbons for 2nd and 3rd place in various events at the Howard DC-Rec meet in 1936. Upon graduation from Miners, Tatum served in the US Army in World War II on the European front at the height of the fiercest fighting from 1942-45. When he returned home from the war, he earned his Master's degree in elementary education at New York University, and he came back to Washington, DC where he enjoyed a terrific 33-year teaching and administrative career in education. He also went on to compete in the Senior Olympics in 2003, 2008 and 2011, despite battling cancer, and he would win a total of six gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal while also setting two records.