SENATOBIA – Northwest Mississippi Community College will induct five former student-athletes into its Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming week Sept. 24–28 on the Senatobia campus.

The induction ceremony will take place on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. at the David M. Haraway Center. A reception and meet and greet will precede the ceremony from 3–4 p.m.

Kickoff against Holmes is set for 6:30 p.m. that evening at Bobby Franklin Field.

Two former men's basketball teammates, Wilbert Beard and Willie Brown, NJCAA women's soccer All-American Elyse Lovelace, standout second baseman David Moss and the school's all-time leader in interceptions, Vandell Grigsby, will all enter the prestigious hall.

WILBERT BEARD, MEN'S BASKETBALL, 1970-72
Beard helped propel the Northwest men's basketball program to success in the early 1970s under head coach Henry B. Koon.

Beard guided Northwest to back-to-back winning seasons in 1970-72, serving as team captain. The Rangers finished as division runner-ups his freshman year before responding the next season with a 25-5 overall record, 12-0 division mark and the program's first-ever MACJC Championship.

The Holly Springs native developed into one of the top scorers in Northwest history as a two-time All-MACJC selection, finishing ninth on the Rangers' all-time scoring list with 1,011 points. He ranks fifth all-time in scoring average (21.1 ppg), sixth in free throws made (197) and seventh in field goals made (407). Beard was credited with numerous 30-point games, including a 39-point effort against Northeast in January 1971.

Beard went on to play two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana University from 1972-74, where he helped the Lions to a 21-7 record, Gulf South Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 1973. While in Hammond, Beard played in the Strawberry Classic and was named the game's Most Valuable Player. 

Beard concluded his academic career at Mississippi Industrial College where he graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor of science in health, physical recreation and dance in 1976.

He then spent time at Holy Family Academy, serving as the athletic director and head coach of the both boys' and girls' basketball programs, guiding them to five conference championships and garnering five Coach of the Year honors.

Beard remained in his native Marshall County from 1986-99, where he was appointed as the athletic director and head boys' basketball coach at H.W. Byers High School. Beard guided the Lions to 12 district appearances and competed for six north half championships, all while serving on the executive board for the Mississippi High School Activities' Association (MHSAA).

While teaching, Beard continued his education through the University of Mississippi, receiving certification in Drivers' Education in 1987 and a Masters' in extended studies from 1991.

Beard departed for a similar job at South Panola High School in 1999 and helped the Tigers to four district appearances, as well as berths into the north half and Class 5A Championships. He was honored with a Coach of the Year award during his tenure in Batesville after guiding his team to a No. 5 state ranking. Additionally, he was promoted to the MHSAA's Legislative Committee, was honored with a 25-year service award by the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) and was appointed as coach for the north team during the MAC North-South All-Star Game.

Beard returned to Marshall County in 2004 at Holly Springs High School, where he was appointed as the coach of both basketball programs and physical education instructor. He was promoted to the role of athletic director in 2008, a role he remained in until 2010.

WILLIE BROWN, MEN'S BASKETBALL, 1970-72
Willie Brown was another Ranger that made an impact on the early success of the Northwest men's basketball program.

After a standout career with North Calhoun High School in Bruce, Brown came to Northwest and guided the Rangers to back-to-back winning seasons under coach Henry B. Koon from 1970-72.

Northwest totaled a 13-9 overall mark and finished as division runner-ups in 1970-71, before responding the next season with a 25-5 overall record, 12-0 division mark and the program's first-ever MACJC Championship.

Brown ranks eighth in Northwest school history with 1,073 career points and is also first in field goals made and attempted, fourth in scoring average (22.4 ppg) and 10th in rebounds/game (7.9). He finished as the MACJC's top scorer as a sophomore, averaging 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Like his teammate, Wilbert Beard, Brown also continued his playing career at Southeastern Louisiana from 1972-74 and helped guide the Lions to the Gulf South Conference title and a second place finish in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1973.

He completed his bachelor of science at Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs before receiving additional degrees in physical education, social studies and special education from the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University. 

Brown held several coaching and teaching positions after his playing career. In 1978, he was hired by president Koon at Northwest and served in a variety of roles, including physical education instructor, director of intramural sports and assistant men's and women's basketball coach under the direction of legendary head coaches Harry Adair and Kenneth "Cat" Robbins.

Brown was then hired by Calhoun City High School in 1990 as the head basketball coach, achieving his best season in 1993-94 where his Wildcats finished as the Region 4-2A and Class 2A North Half champions. For his efforts, Brown was awarded Coach of the Year honors by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

In 1994, Brown departed for the same role at Bruce High School where he coached both high school and junior high basketball, in addition to his duties as head track coach and a three-year stint as assistant football coach from 1994-96. He coached until his retirement in 2010.

He now enjoys retirement with his wife, Shirley, and his family, including his great-grandsons, Cori and Caysen. He's currently an active member and deacon at Jackson Chapel Church in Bruce.

ELYSE LOVELACE, WOMEN'S SOCCER, 2006
Although she spent just one season in a Lady Ranger uniform, Elyse Lovelace's impact on the Northwest women's soccer program is undeniable.

Lovelace was an NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention selection for Northwest in 2006, where she helped Peter Jarjoura's team to a 13-4 overall record and a 7-1 north division mark.

She led the nation with 37 goals in her lone season, which still remains intact as Northwest's single-season record today. Nine of her goals came in a 16-0 victory over Southwest Mississippi on Sept. 26, 2006.

After graduating in the spring of 2007 with an associate's degree from Northwest, Lovelace went on to play in 29 games for Austin Peay State University from 2007-08.

She graduated with a bachelor's of science in health and human performance in 2009 and now serves as Employee Benefits Wellness Coordinator for government employees in Shelby County, Tenn., where she manages wellness programs for over 5,000 employees. 

When her collegiate soccer career ended, Lovelace began competing in 5K and marathon races, placing first in several local 5K events. She is also a professional elite powerlifter and is ranked in the top two percent in the world for two weight classes. Additionally, she placed first in the Arnold XPC Finals Championships in 2017 and 2018, holding the Tennessee record for amateur and professional in all three lifts.

DAVID MOSS, BASEBALL, 1983-84
The baseball tradition at Northwest includes many notable names and accomplishments and David Moss is no exception.

A three-sport athlete at Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, Moss came to Northwest and guided the Rangers to a pair of MACJC championships in 1983-84 under the direction of legendary skipper Jim Miles.

Moss held down second base for the Rangers during his two seasons, batting .373 with eight homers as a freshman before following up with a .402 batting average and seven home runs during his sophomore campaign. He added 16 career doubles and 54 RBIs to go along with a .749 slugging percentage. He was equally as impressive off the field, where he maintained a 3.5 GPA as a pre-med major.

Following his stint with the Rangers, Moss went on to play at the University of Memphis in 1985-86, playing a vital role in guiding the Tigers and coach Bobby Kilpatrick to back-to-back winning seasons.

Moss was named an All-Metro Conference performer both seasons with the Tigers and led the team in hitting at .356 as a junior and .382 for his senior season. He led the team in several other categories, including hits (52 in 1985; 73 in 1986), doubles (17 in 1986) and slugging percentage (.589 in 1985).

After his playing career, Moss graduated in the top 10 percent of his class from Southern College of Optometry in 1990.

He has owned and operated the Eye Care Center of Memphis for 28 years and currently has four adult children and one grandson.

VANDELL GRIGSBY, FOOTBALL, 1991-92
As a member of two of the greatest Northwest football teams in program history, Vandell Grigsby's mark on the record books still stands today.

In his two years in a Northwest uniform, the Rangers went a combined 24-1-1 under the all-time winningest coach, Bobby Franklin, and finished as the national runner-ups in 1991 before winning the NJCAA National Championship in 1992.

Grigsby intercepted 19 passes over his Northwest career, a record that remains intact. He also holds records for the most interceptions in a game (four vs. Northeastern Oklahoma, 1992) and most interception return yards in a season (198 yds. 2002), along with 320 career interception return yards which ranks second all-time.

Since leaving Northwest, Grigsby has been employed with the Franklin Special School District in Tennessee for 19 years, serving as the junior high football and girls' basketball coach, along with assistant coaching stints with boys' basketball, softball and varsity football.

He has been inducted into the Franklin High School Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to basketball.

Grigsby is married to his wife, Ivaney, and the couple have 10 children together.