Class of 2003
Charles C. Gibbs, a football inductee and a 1954 graduate, was born in Waynesville, NC. He made a notable athletic contribution within his four years of playing football under Head Coach Edward Mitchell. Gibbs was president of the junior and senior classes. He was also the captain of the team and led the Blue Bears as a running back to some of its most successful years from 1950-1954. His success on the field earned him a spot on the All-EIAC Team. In 1954, Livingstone retired his jersey number 23 and awarded him the Sidney Greene Award as the school's Athlete of the Year. After college, Gibbs was hired by Livingstone as an assistant football coach, for which he served until January 1955. He joined the U.S. Army and later enrolled at North Carolina Central. Gibbs earned his Master's of Science Degree in May 1966. He later bcame the Vocational Director for the city of Fayetteville adn Cumberland County and held that position for 16 years.
Louis Martin, a football inductee, is a native of Woodleaf, NC. Martin graduated from Livingstone in 1959 with a B.A. in Education. He later received his Master's Degree in Biological Science and in Administration fro Michigan State University. Martin was a four-year letterman in football at Livingstone and was named to the All-EIAC in 1956, 1957 and 1958. In 1957 Martin was awarded the Sidney Green Memorial Award as Livingstone's Athlete of the Year. In 1977, Martin was named Battle Creek (Michigan) Central High School's first african-american principal. Martin retired from Battle Creek Central in 1991.
Alexander Erwin, a basketball inductee, is a native of Charlotte, NC. Erwin graduated from Livingstone in 1964 with a Bachelor's Degree in Socia Sciences Education. In 1972, Erwin received a Master's Degree in Administration/Supervision and Social Studies and in 1974 a Doctorate in Education Administration and Curriculum Development from Appalachian State University. Erwin was named to the All-EIAC Team in 1962 and 1963 and was ranked seventh in the nation among small colleges in rebounding in 1962. In 1963 Erwin became the first basketball player at Livingstone to win the Sidney Green Memorial Award as the school's top athlete of the year sinc its inception in 1947.
Dr. Curtis Tyrone Gilmore Sr., a football inductee and 1965 graduate is a native of Spartanburg, SC. Gilmore's professional preparation in education began at Livingstone where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies. He later earned a Master's Degree in Social Studies Education from Converse College and an Education Specialist Degree in Education Administration at the University of South Carolina. In 1964, Gilmore was ranked as the top punter in the CIAA with 33.3 yards per punt average. Gilmore is a recipient of an honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters from Livingstone. He was also honored with the Livingstone College Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991.
Dr. John Thompson, a basketball inductee, is a native of Graham, NC. Thompson played basketball for the Blue Bears from 1962 to 1966 and was noted as an outstanding defensive player and the team's leading rebounder. Thompson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Livingstone in 1966, a Master's Degree in Education Administration from North Carolina A&T State, an Ed. S. in Administration from Appalachian State and a Ph. D. in Education Administration from the University of North Carolina. He was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa.
Sylvester Sutton, a football inductee and 1970 graduate, is a native of Edenton, NC. In his freshman year, Sutton became a part of Livingstone's most noted passing and receiving trio along with Alfred Tyler and Romus Jefferies. Sutton was the top-ranked receiver in the CIAA in receiving yardage in 1966 and ranked 10th in the nation among small college teams. In 1967, Sutton was named to the Ebony College Scorebard All-American Team and the All-CIAA Second Team. Sutton was selected as the team captain for his junior and senior seasons. Sutton ended his career at Livingstone with 125 receptions, 1945 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. After at stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Sutton was later drafted into the US Army and spent two years in the military.
Johnny Stoutamire, a football inductee and 1997 alumnus, is a native of Clemmons, NC. In 1978, Stoutamire made history at West Forsyth High School by being the first person ever to have his varsity football jersey (#22) retired. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Livingstone. While in school, Stoutamire played football, basketball and ran track. Stoutamire received the Rookie Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1974, the Defensive Back of the Year Award in 1975 and was named to the All-CIAA Team, the All-District 26 NAIA Team and the Pittsburgh Courier All-American Team in 1976. In 1977, Stoutamire was again named to the All-CIAA Team, the All-CIAA Academic Team, the Pittsburgh Courier All-American Team, the Mutual Black Network All-American Team and the Jet Magazine All-American Team. In 1978 Stoutamire signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills.
Anne E. Little, an athletic service inductee, is a native of Salisbury, NC. She graduated from Livingstone in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. Little joined the Livingstone staff in July of 1985 when she accepted a position in the office of Residence Life. One year later she served as the Sports Information Director, launching her career in intercollegiate athletics. During her stint at Livingstone, little also served as cheerleading coach and Director of Student Activities. She later became Director of Public Relations for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Little worked for the National Association of Basketball Coaches in Overland Park, Kansas where she serves as the primary administrator for activities during the annual convention at the NCAA Men's Final Four. In July 1997, Little was named Director of Athletics at Winston-Salem State University. She made history as the university's first female athletic director and was one of only six African-American women athletic directors in the 1,000 plus memner institutions. In 2000, Little was named the CIAA Athletic Director of the Year.
Michael Bragg, a track & field inductee and 1985 alum, is a native of Wilmington, NC. In 1980, he entered Livingstone on a track & field and football scholarship. While attending Livingstone, he was voted most outstanding track and field athlete for three years in a row. Bragg was the recipient of the Baxter Holman Award, the highest academic award for track and field and football. He was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes of District 26. During his senior season, Bragg was an All-American and All-CIAA performer for track and field. After being awarded his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1985, he began his new future in education and youth development. He is the founder and managing director of "Bragging on Fitness," a developmental program to instill positive attitudes with emphasis on building strong minds and bodies.
Rob Clodfelter, a football inductee, is a native of Lexington, NC. In the fall of 1989, Clodfelter enrolled at Livingstone. After a redshirt year, Clodfelter began his assault on the Livingstone and CIAA record books. As a freshman, Clodfelter was named the CIAA's Offensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Clodfelter scored 14 touchdowns, tying the CIAA scoring record and breaking the CIAA single-season rushing mark. He was again named the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year. On November 11, 1993, Clodfelter became the CIAA's and Livingstone's all-time leading rusher. Clodfelter ended his career as Livingstone's all-time leading rusher and scorer. He was named to numerous small college All-America teams and to the Black College All-American team in 1992. Clodfelter was a Dean's List student and the Student Government Association President his senior year. He was also a member of the Blue Bears' All-CIAA 4x100 relay team that qualified for the NCAA National Championship in 1992. He graduated from Livingstone with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology.
