Langston University Hall of Fame Returns in 2021

LU 10/8/2021 12:00:00 PM Kyle Taylor - Langston Sports Information

Langston University 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Class Announced

LANGSTON – 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.

Lloyd Beasley:

Lloyd Beasley attended Langston University from 1964-1968 where he achieved his Bachelor of Science in Education. He was a member of the track and field teams that were Oklahoma Collegiate Conference (OCC) Champions for four consecutive years (1965-1968) as a sprinter and middle-distance runner.

Beasley was selected most outstanding track and field athlete for the OCC from 1965-1968, was All-Conference for four straight years and was voted MVP in 1965, 1966 and 1968 by the Langston University track and field team. He also achieved champion status in the 100-yard and 200-yard meter dash and anchored the 4X100 relay team which were OCC champions for four consecutive years and reached the NAIA Track and Field finals in 1966 and 1967.

In his professional career he serves on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Nebraska, Metropolitan YMCA of Omaha, the Butler Fast Little League Association, the President of the Board of Directors for MO-KAN-NE, the National Council Educational Opportunity Programs, and the Civil Rights Hearing Board. He is a member of the Polemarch Omaha Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi and serves as a Vice-President for the Langston Omaha Alumni Chapter.

Gene Howard:

Gene Howard attended Langston University from 1965-1968 and was a member of the football and track and field teams during his time there. As a member of the football team, he was a four-year letterman in football and All-Conference selection for four straight years and was a nominated for NAIA All-American. He was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL draft to the New Orleans Saints and received the Saints rookie of the year award. He played defensive back for the Saints from 1968-1970 before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1971 and played professionally in the World Football League.

As a member of the track and field team, Howard achieved All-Conference status for four straight years and during his time at Langston set the high jump record.

In his professional career he served for 34 years at the Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach, Calif. where he retired in 2012 as the Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources. He is served on the board of directors for various youth and civic organizations, head coach for Pop Warner and Junior All-American football leagues where he won the Costa Mesa Bowl Championship. He is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Trinity Lodge 33, Little Rock, Ark. and received an honorable discharge from the United State Army in 1975.

Donnita Drain-Rogers

Donnita Drain-Rogers served as head coach of the Langston University women's basketball program from 1995-2008 and established the Lady Lions as a national power in the NAIA. In her 13 years of coaching, Drain-Rogers had 10 straight years with a winning record at Langston which included six trips to the NAIA National Tournament and four Conference Championships. In total, she produced six All-Americans, four Conference Players of the Year, three Academic All-Americans and 43 All-Conference selections.

A few highlights from her coaching career included her 2007-2008 team finished ranked sixth in the nation and leading the 2006-2007 team to the NAIA Elite Eight. Coach Drain-Rogers last two seasons at Langston went undefeated in conference with a record of 34-0 and finished her career with 242 career wins. She is the all-time winningest coach in Langston University Women's Basketball history.

After leaving Langston, Drain-Rogers went to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) where she served as the head coach for Grambling State University and was awarded SWAC Coach of the Year in her second season. Coach Rogers was also the first female to coach boys 3A basketball in Caddo Parish, LA at Booker T. Washington High School. She returned to LU and has served as the Director of Athletics since Spring 2015. She is also a member of the Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) Hall of Fame, the Orange and Blue Booster Club, serves on the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Chi Zeta Chapter.

Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson began his coaching career at Langston University in 1986 where he served as the head men's and women's track and field coach and the defensive coordinator for the football program. Following that he was appointed as head football coach in 1991 until 1996 and returned as head football coach in 2004 until 2011. Johnson also served as the Interim Director of Athletics from 2008-2009.

During his time at Langston, he received the NAIA District 9 Track Coach of the Year in 1988, the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference (OIC) Football Coach of the Year in 1993 and the Central States Football League Coach of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009. Under his leadership, the Lady Lions achieved recognition as the District 9 Women's Track Champions in 1988 and the Lions received recognition as the OIC Champions in 1993 and 1994 and CSFL Champions in 2005, 2008 and 2009.

A few highlights from Johnson's tenure included the Langston University football program achieving their first winning season in 20 years in Johnson's third year as head coach, reaching the NAIA National Semifinals, being national ranked numerous times in the NAIA polls and defeating Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling State University. Most notably, Johnson also managed to graduate 86 percent of his players during his time at Langston University.

Rashida Winston

Rashida Winston attended Langston University from 1995-1999 and was a member of the women's basketball program under head coach Donnita Drain and assistant coach Tony Greene. Winston served as the starting point guard for the very first women's basketball team to earn a berth to the NAIA National Tournament. During her time, she was named to the Black College Sports Information Director's All-Rookie Team (1995-1996), OIC Second Team All-Conference (1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998), OIC Player of the Week three times, OIC Player of the Year (1997-1998) and MVP by the Lady Lions (1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998).

At the time of her graduation, she ranked Top-10 in numerous statistical categories for the Lady Lions Women's Basketball program including in-season marks such No. 2 in most assists in a game (12), No. 3 in most three-pointers scored in a game (6), No. 4 in most field goals scored in a game (13), No. 4 in most points scored in a season (491) and No. 8 for individual scoring average in a season (16.4). Winston finished No. 4 All-Time for career scoring (1,262), No. 5 All-Time for career assists (212), No. 6 All-Time for steals (138), No. 7 All-Time for career three-point percentage made (67%) and No. 10 All-Time for career rebounds (359).

Robin Pruitt

Robin Pruitt attended Langston University from 1996-2000 and was a member of the women's basketball program under head coach Donnita Drain and assistant coach, Tony Greene. Pruitt was the starting center on Langston's 1998-1999 women's basketball team which earned their first berth in program history to the NAIA Division I National Tournament. Additionally, she was also a member of the 1999-00 Red River Athletic Conference championship team and 2000-01 NAIA National Tournament team Her illustrious career included being named the Red River Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice (1998-99 and 1999-00), RRAC All-Conference First Team (1999-00), RRAC Offensive Player of the Year (1999-00) and NAIA Division Third Team All-American (1999-00).

At the conclusion of her playing career for the Lady Lions, Pruitt finished in the top five in Langston University Women's Basketball history in career points (1,773), No. 1 All-Time in career rebounds (1,204) and set individual season marks that included most rebounds in a single game (28), single season rebound leader (324) and highest field goal percentage in a season (65.3 percent).

Maurice Bassett

Maurice Bassett attended Langston University in the 1950s and during his time there caught the attention of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns organization drafted Bassett in the third round with the 36th overall pick where he played for three seasons.

As a member of the Cleveland Browns, he was a member of two NFL championship teams in 1954 and 1955. After his time with the Browns, Bassett went on to play in the Canadian Football League and ended his professional career with the Buffalo Bills in 1960. Overall, he racked up 891 yards off of 223 rushing attempts with 11 touchdowns.

Calvin Humphrey

Calvin Humphrey attended Langston University from 1972-1976 and was a member of the men's basketball team that qualified for the NAIA playoffs every season. During his time at Langston, Humphrey was named Langston University Freshman of the Year, Team MVP and First-Team All-Conference and ended up leading the nation in overall field goal percentage.

After leaving Langston, Humphrey served in the United States Army and went on to become an assistant warden and life coach in the prison system. Additionally, he also served as a teacher and basketball coach throughout his time in Miami, Florida.

Langston University Athletic Hall of Fame Ticketing Information

The Langston University Athletic 2021 Hall of Fame class will be celebrated during a luncheon on Wednesday, October 13th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton – Oklahoma City Downtown. Individual tickets are available for $75 per person and tables (which can seat up to eight people) are available for purchase at $575.

To purchase click the link here or visit the TICKETS tab at www.langstonsports.com.

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.

For more information visit www.langstonsports.com or call 405-466-3262.

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Langston University 2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Class Announced

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