Legendary Millikin University alum to be inducted into Black College Football Hall of Fame
Share this @internewscast.com

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — A distinguished former student of Millikin University will be honored this weekend for his exceptional work as a football coach at historically black colleges and universities.

The university has announced that Fred “Pop” Long will be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Long, a member of the Class of 1918 and the university’s first African American graduate, excelled in both football and baseball for the Big Blue teams. In 1916, he contributed to the football team achieving their first undefeated season with a record of 8-0-1 and was later included as a founding member in the Big Blue Athletic Hall of Fame.

Following his graduation, Long served in the Army during World War I until 1920. After his military service, he played professional baseball for two seasons in the National Negro League. At 25, Long transitioned to football, embarking on a 44-year journey as a coach.

He coached at four HBCUs in Texas — Paul Quinn College, Wiley University, Prairie View A&M and Texas College — from 1921 to 1965. He amassed a career record of 224–145–31 and won three Black College National Championships in 1928, 1932, and 1945 at Wiley College. His teams also won 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.

Long died at the age of 72 in Tyler, Texas, when he was 72.

Photo courtesy of Millikin University

Long is already a member of several other Halls of Fame, including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame, the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. On Saturday, he will join another: the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF).

The hall honors college football players, coaches and contributors from HBCUs and was founded in 2009. Its museum is located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Long was selected out of 28 finalists by the BCFHOF committee, which consists of journalists, commentators, historians, former NFL General Managers and executives, and BCFHOF members. The Class of 2025 also includes:

  • Henry Dyer — Grambling State University
  • Rashean Mathis — Bethune-Cookman University
  • Jacquay Nunnally — Florida A&M University
  • Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — Tennessee State University
  • Jay “Sky” Walker — Howard University

The Class of 2025 will be honored in a ceremony in Atlanta.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” Is “A Bunch of Bull”: Bill O’Reilly

() Bill O’Reilly believes that despite President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” being…

13 Individuals Charged in Major Healthcare Fraud Case, the Largest in DOJ’s History

(WXIN/WTTV) 13 Indiana residents have been arrested and charged in what the…

“I’m Absorbing Everything”: Carson Boyd Learns from Altmyer and Coaching Team

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Carson Boyd may be new to Champaign, having…

Increase in Canceled July 4th Celebrations in California Due to Immigration Raids

(KTLA) – More Southern California communities have canceled or postponed their 4th…

Trump Administration Alleges Harvard Seriously Breached Civil Rights Act

The Trump administration says Harvard University is in “violent violation” of the…

Guide to Fourth of July Fireworks Displays and Celebrations in the Tri-Cities

TRI-CITIES, Tenn./Va. (WJHL) — The Fourth of July is right around the…

US-Mexico Border Reopening for Cattle Imports Following Screwworm Concerns

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Both Mexico and the United States announced plans…

EPA to Postpone Enforcement of Pollution Regulations for Coal Plants

The Trump administration says that it plans to delay and potentially loosen…

Thunder on Vermilion Boat Race Hosted by Gao Grotto

This past weekend, Danville, Illinois hosted the annual Thunder on the Vermilion…

Mayor Criticizes Recent ICE Raids as ‘Utterly Disgraceful and Unpatriotic’

() Bell Gardens Mayor Jorgel Chavez has called recent ICE raids happening…

Understanding the Latest Georgia State Legislation

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Several new Georgia laws are taking effect July…

Bryan Kohberger Agrees to Plea Deal in Idaho College Murders Case

() has learned a plea deal has been offered to Bryan Kohberger,…