The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically black athletic conference, is proud to announce the 2021 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class.
The CIAA recognizes inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission. This year's class features six inductees, whose accolades within the conference span over four decades, to include Cassie King (North Carolina Central University), Kenny Phillips (Fayetteville State University), Johnny Stoutamire, Jr. (Livingstone College), Greg Toler (Saint Paul's College), Celeste Trahan-Davis (Elizabeth City State University) and Johnnie Walton (Elizabeth City State University).
The 2021 John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame class will be celebrated in a virtual presentation that will air on Friday, February 26 via the CIAA Sports Network. This event will be a part of the schedule of events encompassing the CIAA virtual tournament experience, being held February 23-27, 2021. Details on how to take part in the virtual experience will be announced at a later time.
Since its inception in 1967, the CIAA Hall of Fame has enshrined 293 honorees. It was renamed after legendary coach and administrator John B. McLendon in 2000. A 1978 Hall of Fame inductee, McLendon is also credited as one of the founding fathers of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, which began in 1946.
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Celeste Trahan-Davis | Elizabeth City State University | Women's Basketball Student-Athlete
Trahan-Davis was a two-time CIAA Player of the Year (2007, 2008), 2008 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year, and became the first ECSU player to earn All-CIAA honors in four straight seasons (2005-08). She was named to the CIAA All-Tournament team from 2005-07 and was a two-time All-America selection by both Daktronics and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
As a senior, Trahan-Davis was named South Atlantic Player of the Year and the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year after leading NCAA Division II in rebounding (15.9 rpg) and finishing second in scoring (23.7 ppg). In the same season, she became the first woman in NCAA Division II history to record 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds in a career.
Trahan-Davis ranks as second-leading rebounder (1,542) and fourth-leading scorer (2,151) in CIAA history. She became the first female athlete in ECSU history to have her jersey number retired (#00).
Johnnie Walton | Elizabeth City State University | Football Student-Athlete
Walton was a four-year starter at quarterback for Elizabeth City State University (1965-68). He earned All-CIAA honors after his senior season in 1968, completing 114 of 204 passes for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns and leading the Vikings to an 8-1 record.
After graduating from ECSU in 1969, Walton began his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams and making history in the process as the first African American quarterback from the state of North Carolina to play in the National Football League. He also played in the Continental Football League with the Indianapolis Capitols, leading the team to a league title and becoming the African American quarterback to win a championship at the professional level. In that season, Walton was also selected as the Continental Football League's Most Valuable Player.
Walton briefly left his professional playing career in 1979 and returned to ECSU to lead the football program as head coach. From 1980-82, Walton compiled a 20-10-1 overall record and finished 14-7 in CIAA play, helping the Vikings advance to the Division II playoffs in just his second season.
