Alumni Hall of Fame
When Honda Campus All-Star Challenge celebrated its 15th year, the HCASC Alumni Hall of Fame was established, to acknowledge former players who have succeeded in their chosen career and life paths, and to facilitate their becoming mentors for the current generation of HCASC players.
These former players represent the excellence that comes from studying hard, networking, applying oneself and most of all, from pursuing a life goal with all your intellect, heart and soul. This honor is not about the players' game play skills, it honors those who make significant contributions after their game playing days.
The HCASC Alumni Hall of Fame is a continuing effort and each year, one or more additional former players may be inducted. We invite coaches, volunteers and former players to nominate former players. The selection committee is anonymous and will evaluate all submissions received.
![]() Members of the HCASC Alumni Hall of Fame, including 2017 inductee Dr. Makola Abdullah, We are proud to introduce the HCASC Hall of Fame
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Senator Nikema Williams competed for Talladega College in the 1990s. As a community leader and political activist locally and nationally, she has encouraged countless numbers of women and young people to engage in the political process. Her work with the Advisory Board of SCLC W.O.M.E.N. Inc. empowers women, girls, and families as they relate to human rights, social action, economic self-sufficiency, reduction of health disparities, and leadership to build strong families and communities. Those are just a few of her many endeavors. She has received numerous accolades including being named to Who’s Who in Black Atlanta and as a Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League. In December 2017, Nikema was elected to the Georgia State Senate to represent the 39th District.
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John Thomas III competed for and won championships with his Morehouse team in 2001, 2002 and 2005. After graduation, he spent a year in Peru as a Fulbright Scholar, interned at the World Bank in the Dominican Republic, became an adjunct professor at Chicago State, served 5 years as the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator of the World Methodist Council, responsible for facilitating youth and young adult initiatives in its 80 member denominations. In 2016 he was elected to serve as editor of “The Christian Recorder,” whose readership serves 39 countries on 5 continents. He is the 1st layperson to serve in this role and the youngest elected General Officer in the history of the AME Church. John is completing a PhD at the University of Chicago. |
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Dr. Makola Abdullah competed for Howard University in 1990 and at the age of 24, he became the youngest African American in Northwestern University's history to receive a Ph.D. in engineering. Before taking the reigns as President at Virginia State University, Dr. Abdullah served in a variety of executive and professorial roles at Bethune-Cookman University, Florida Memorial University, and Florida A&M University. He has spent his entire career inspiring young and promising students to embrace the challenges of ever-changing technologies, keeping pace with the world and seeking transformative change.
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![]() Daniel Dye |
Daniel Dye is an accomplished litigator and legal scholar who was named Professor of the Year in 2013 at Arizona Summit Law School. His specialty is Constitutional Law and Federal Civil procedure. Having maintained a legal information and commentary blog, Dye has been a frequent expert commentator on legal issues for television, radio and print. In addition to serving as a deputy director of the National Bar Association, Dye counts a number of professional organizations and affiliations in his professional development, including: the American Bar Association; the Society of American Law Teachers; and the American Association of Law Schools. As a student he was awarded Best Oralist in Moot Court competition at the University of Kansas as well as the Student Leadership Award among others. |
![]() John Harkless |
After receiving his PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Cal-Berkeley, Harkless began a distinguished teaching career at top-ranked institutions, including: Howard University, University of Cincinnati, and a visiting Professorship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research is highly technical, but on the cutting edge of scientific applications for chemical engineering, including military applications. Among his most important affiliations has been his work with the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) for which he has served as a National Program Chair and National Vice President. His pet project has been the reformation of the organization’s Science Bowl. He credits his time as an HCASC player with improving all aspects of the Science Bowl and making it a top notch program for the future scientists and engineers. |
![]() Monita Bell |
Monita Bell and her twin sister were double trouble, as both were 4-year HCASC players. Monita earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Alabama State University and her Masters of Arts in English from Auburn. Monita still makes time to participate in the HCASC program as an alumni volunteer. She serves as a moderator at the qualifying tournaments and at the National Championship. You can follow Monita on twitter @MonitaB_TT. |
![]() Mark-Anthony Middleton |
Mark-Anthony Middleton was the captain of North Carolina A&T State University’s 1991 HCASC team. He graduated from N.C. A&T with a B.A. in Political Science. While at N.C. A&T, Mark-Anthony was also awarded the Unsung Hero of the Civil Rights Movement. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from the Duke University School of Divinity. |
![]() Daniel Moss |
Daniel Moss is a 4-year HCASC player from Claflin University. A Biology/Chemistry and Studio Art major, Daniel postponed graduation and partnered with his brother William, a Hampton University alum, to launch HBCUConnect.com, the first social network targeting African Americans. and the largest online community in existence dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. |
![]() Malick Badjie |
Malick Badjie was a 4-year HCASC player for Tennessee State University. After graduation, Malick drew on the knowledge and work ethic he’d built as an HCASC player to pursue a career in Africa, where he serves as Head of Investment Solutions at Silk Invest, a global financial company, and conducts charity work. A giving person, Malick has generously supported Tennessee State and conducts charity work in Africa. Through it all, Malick says the knowledge, effort and dedication he learned in HCASC has been tremendously beneficial to his globe-trotting career. |
![]() Thomas Cunningham |
Thomas Cunningham played in 1991 and 1992 for the HCASC team at Florida A&M, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism. During that time, Tom snagged All-Star honors and helped clench the championship in FAMU’s first appearance at the National Championship Tournament.
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![]() Keyonn Pope |
Keyonn Pope participated in HCASC during his time at Southern University Baton Rouge, where he earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He also earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.
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![]() Dr. Natalie Tindall |
Natalie Tindall was a 4-year HCASC player for Florida A&M University, whose team she helped nab back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999. After graduating from FAMU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Arts Technology, Natalie pursued further education, becoming Doctor Tindall when she earned her PhD in Communication.
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![]() Malcolm Sykes |
Malcolm Sykes played for the HCASC team at Prairie View A&M University where he earned a degree in Finance. After graduating from PVAM, he earned a Masters in International Business Management from South Africa’s University of Witwatersand and an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. |
![]() Mark Branch |
Mark Branch played for Morgan State University during the first two years of the HCASC program. He graduated with honors from Morgan State, earning dual degrees in Physics and Engineering Physics. He serves as a role model to young people, particularly those in under-served communities, demonstrating that they can accomplish anything through strong desire and focused attention. |
![]() Blake Dye |
Blake Dye served as HCASC Team Captain at Winston-Salem State University, where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Urban Affairs. Blake went on to earn his Master of Public Administration degree from Appalachian State University. Blake has worked with the Children’s Defense Fund to develop a mentoring program for graduate, undergraduate, and secondary students. He has also served the federal government at the Department of Justice and Department of Transportation. He currently manages the Oregon Department of Transportation’s College Relations program. |
![]() LaDonne Lankster |
LaDonne was an HCASC player for Virginia Union University, where she studied Journalism/Mass Communication and History/Political Science. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Salutatorian of her class in 1997. LaDonne studied international law and international human rights at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa and earned her Juris Doctorate from the Howard University School of Law. |
![]() Tweail S. Moten |
Tweail Moten participated in the HCASC program during his time at Albany State University, where he was a double-major and Cum Laude graduate in History and Political Science. He went on to earn a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in Public Finance Policy and a Master of Science in Management degree with a concentration in Leadership and Organization Effectiveness. |
![]() Robert Vince Evans |
Robert Vince Evans played for Lane College’s HCASC team for four years. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in history, he earned his master’s degree in International Relations. |
![]() The Rev. Dr. Robert Scott |
Robert Charles Scott participated in HCASC during the programs first two years, 1990 and 1991, as a player for Jackson State University. After graduating from with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Robert earned his master’s in divinity from Duke University. After completing his doctoral work at Ohio’s United Theological Seminary, he became the Reverend Dr. Robert Charles Scott. |
![]() Randy Johnson |
Randy Johnson played for North Carolina Central University’s HCASC team in 1993 and 1994. After earning his bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History, Randy stayed on at NCCU to pursue graduate study, earning his Master’s degree in Modern European History in 2002. He went on to attend Law School at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 2005. His service to at-risk youth and to our nation extends our motto of "friends for life" to "friends through life." |
![]() Grace Lockridge |
Grace Lockridge played for the HCASC team at Langston University. After graduating from Langston with a degree in Nursing, Grace also pursued graduate education, earning a Master of Arts in Library Science degree from University of Missouri-Columbia. |
![]() Shayla Thomas-Patton |
Shayla Thomas-Patton played for Alcorn State’s team from 1990-92. In the inagural season, she was chosen as an All-Star. She currently is a Care Management Coordinator with a major insurance company and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. |
![]() Brian Ross |
Brian Ross played for FAMU’s HCASC team from 1991 to 1994. After graduating, Brian served as an officer in the U.S. Army. After returning from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Brian earned his law degree from the University of Georgia, where he was selected to be a member of the Order of Barristers honors organization. |
Dr. Stephen Nurse-Findlay |
Stephen Nurse-Findlay was captain of Tuskegee University’s HCASC team from 1991-1995 and led Tuskegee to the first ever HCASC back-to-back National Championships in 1993 and 1994. After graduation with degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Tuskegee, Stephen was accepted to Johns Hopkins Medical School, where he earned a Masters degree in Public Health in 1999 on the way to becoming DOCTOR Nurse-Findlay when he earned his M.D. in 2000. He is now based in Geneva, Switzerland where he works for the World Health Organization as technical officer within the Department of Reproductive Health and Research. |
Dr. Marvin Young |
Marvin Young played for Prairie View A&M’s HCASC team. He studied at Yale University School of Medicine. He went on to complete his residency at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. |
Myles B. Caggins |
Lt. Col. Myles B. Caggins III played on the HCASC team at Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History and was commissioned as an Army officer. He later earned a Master’s in Public Relations at Georgetown University. |
Matthew Barnhill |
Matthew Barnhill played for the HCASC team from North Carolina A&T State University, where he earned a degree in Economics. After graduating summa cum laude from NCA&T, Matthew went on to earn an M.B.A. from Michigan State University. He also completed professional education programs at Harvard Business School, UCLA, and Johns Hopkins. |
Thaddeus Hoffmeister |
Thaddeus Hoffmeister played for the HCASC team at Morgan State University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in French, Thaddeus went on to earn his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and an LL.M. degree from Georgetown University Law Center. |
![]() Dr. Marla Black Morgan |
Marla Black Morgan was a four-year player for the HCASC team from Albany State University, where graduated with a degree in chemistry. After graduation, Marla studied at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, where she received the Samuel L. Clements Award in Neurology and earned her MD. |
![]() Clarence Tucker |
Clarence E. Tucker played for Norfolk State University’s HCASC. After earning his B.S. in Exercise Science and Kineosioptherapy in 1996, he continued his studies at Old Dominion University, where he earned his Masters of Science Degrees in Bio-mechanics and Physical Therapy. |
![]() Charles Hobbs |
It’s no surprise that Chuck Hobbs excelled at HCASC competitions. His mother, Dr. Vivian Hobbs, is a long-time coach for FAMU’s team. Chuck played for FAMU and Morehouse, from which he graduated with a BA in History. He returned to FAMU to earn a Master’s of Applied Social Science degree with a concentration in history, then attended law school at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. |
![]() Ravi Howard |
Considering his name, it’s only logical that Ravi Howard was a member of the HCASC team from Howard University. After earning his BA in journalism, Ravi went on to earn an MFA in creative writing from the University of Virginia. |
![]() Syreeta Nicole Richardson |
Nikki Richardson played on the HCASC team from Delaware State from 1996 to 1998. Nikki says that participating in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge was one of the best experiences of her college career. It allowed her to network and meet fellow players and alums who truly are her Friends for Life. It also showed her that there was nothing shameful about being a “nerd”—being smart and well-rounded is something to be proud of.
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![]() Yusef Johnson |
Yusef Johnson was a four-year HCASC player for Tuskegee University. Though he wasn’t a stereotypical academic trivia player—he was a football player and a C student—he and his team did very well and get engaged in his studies as a result. One of his fondest game memories was coming back from more than 100 points down to take the win against the HCASC team from Morehouse at a regional competition. |
![]() Bomani Jones |
All-Star player and 2000 Ernie Jones Sportsperson of the Year Bomani Jones played for the HCASC team at Clark Atlanta University, where he earned a degree in Economics. After graduation, he continued his education by earning a Master’s degree in Politics, Economics, and Business from Claremont Graduate University and a Master’s in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |