National News

 October 15, 2009

Itawamba Community College's Athletic Hall of Fame will officially expand its membership this Saturday afternoon during its homecoming pre-game festivities at Lambert Stadium on the Fulton campus. Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Paul Johnson of Fulton and Billy Tibbett of Amory will also be recognized during a 1:15 p.m. ceremony in the lobby of the Student Services Building.

Very few collegiate head coaches, in any sport at any level in the United States have received more major honors in the last 15 months than Paul Johnson, who has been selected as a 2009 inductee into Itawamba Community College's Athletic Hall of Fame.

"It's the topping of the cake, and it's so special because these are the folks you care about," said Johnson, who is in his thirty-fifth year at ICC. "To be honest with you, this is the most surprising of any of the awards I've received in the last year or so."

Johnson's honors began in late May of 2008 when he received the prestigious Herschel Stephens Award at the NJCAA National Tennis Tournament, annually presented for outstanding service and dedication to NJCAA tennis. Then last December, the men's and women's tennis coach at ICC was selected as the Mississippi Tennis Association Coach of the Year, which is "a major honor" to Johnson, a recognition for the best tennis coach at any level in the state of Mississippi. Then in May, the eight-time winner of the MACJC Coach of the Year, was inducted into the NJCAA Men's Hall of Fame.

After receiving that honor at the national tournament in Plano, Texas, Johnson said he "wouldn't receive another major coaching award for another 10 or so years." That changed when he was selected to this year's ICC Athletic Hall of Fame.

After being named all-state his senior season at Amory High School, in 1960 Billy Tibbett continued his stellar football career for the late Dudley Miller at IJC. In fact, in 1961 after his sophomore campaign, the offensive guard/linebacker/nose guard was named not only all-state but all-American as well.

The member of the Mirror staff and a sophomore favorite at Itawamba was quick to point out he probably earned his all-American status in one game during 1961 when he was involved in 37 of the 54 tackles that night against East Mississippi, including 17 solo tackles.

"I don't think there's any question about that," said Tibbett. "But I'll be honest with you, earning that all-American honor pales in comparison to getting inducted into the ICC Athletic Hall of Fame. I still can't believe this is happening to me."

Tibbett, who says he came to Itawamba standing 5-11 and weighing 150 pounds, was invited to play in the prestigious East-West National JUCO All-Star game in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He then reached another of his goals, to play Division 1 football on the NCAA level when he transferred to Hardin-Simmons. Even though he continued to receive honors at the four-year school including a big game against the nationally-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in a contest he was named team captain, Tibbett would always remember his days on the Fulton campus.

"I love ICC," added Tibbett, who calls himself a life-time volunteer recruiter for the College. "I wouldn't have had the wonderful life I've had without Itawamba and I love to tell everyone I'm proud to be a part of our special ICC family."

Itawamba will face nationally-ranked East Mississippi Saturday afternoon in this year's homecoming contest. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ICC fans are encouraged to wear something red as the College will continue its "Spread the Red" campaign to show support of its Indians