2026
NORTHEAST SPORTS & ALUMNI
Hall of Fame RECOGNITION BANQUET
Sports & Alumni
HALL OF FAME R E C O G N I T I O N
B A N QU E T
T h u r s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 2 6 Frank Haney Union Master of Ceremonies - Blake Long, Sports Information Director
CEREMONY Welcome and Remarks Dr. Ricky Ford, President
SPORTS HALL OF FAME Introduction of Inductees and Presentation of Awards Blake Long, Sports Information Director Kent Farris, Athletic Director
ALUMNI HALL OF FAME Introduction of Inductee and Presentation of Award Patrick Eaton, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Development Foundation & Alumni Association
MEAL Invocation Mike Lester, Sports Hall of Fame Committee Member and Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
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SPORTS
Hall of Fame
Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Sports Hall of Fame was conceived in the interest of recognizing coaches, athletes, and administrators who coached and/or played or were loyal supporters of Northeast athletics. Acknowledging the fact that there have been many outstanding athletes who have contributed greatly to the sports programs at Northeast through the years, Northeast wished to begin a program of recognition whereby individuals may be recognized for their contributions to athletics at Northeast. By-Laws for the Sports Hall of Fame were drafted and approved by a committee made up of coaches, fans, and members of the Northeast Board of Trustees in 2007. The framework was established to recognize ten individuals the first year and up to five individuals each year thereafter. During its inaugural Sports Hall of Fame class, Northeast inducted Harold T. White, W.B. “Bill” Ward, Ken Lindsey, Chuck “Doodle” Floyd, Gene Garrett, Adrian Smith, Kenneth “Cat” Robbins, David “Nub” Strickland, Earline “Woodsie” Woods and Bonner Arnold as members.
2026 - 27 SPORTS HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE Ken Basil, Northeast Board of Trustees Member Greg Davis, Football Head Coach Patrick Eaton, VP of Institutioal Advancement & Foundation Executive Director Kent Farris, Northeast Athletic Director Richy Harrelson, Baseball Head Coach Malcolm Kuykendall, Alumni Representative/Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Lamb, Alumni Representative/Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Mike Lester, Alumni Representative/Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee Blake Long, Sports Information Director Jody Long, Softball Head Coach Brenda Mayes, Assistant Athletic Director/Volleyball Head Coach Brian Middleton, Women's Basketball Head Coach Cord Wright, Men's Basketball Head Coach
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Sports Hall of Fame 4
S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E C R I T E R I A & S E L E C T I O N P RO C E S S 1. Former Northeast athletes shall be eligible for selection to the Sports Hall of Fame on the basis of his or her record as a player and/or contributions to the college only after he or she has been out of active intercollegiate athletics for at least 3 (three) years. 2. Former Northeast coaches and/administrators shall be eligible for selection on the basis of his or her records as a coach, athletic director, and/or contributions to the college only after he or she has been out of regular and active coaching or out of regular and active athletic administration at Northeast Mississippi Community College for at least 3 (three) years or at the discretion of the selection committee. 3. Support of Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics will be considered in the selection. 4. Inductees must be able to attend the induction ceremonies. If they cannot attend, they shall be honored the following year. In the event of a posthumous induction, a representative of the family must be able to attend. 5. After the initial induction, the Northeast Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame will induct a maximum of 5 (five) honorees annually. 6. A two-thirds vote of the committee shall be required for election into the Sports Hall of Fame. 7. If a nominee is not selected the year his or her name is submitted, his or her nomination shall be retained for consideration by the selection committee. SELECTION: 1. A selection committee, which will be chaired by the college’s Athletic Director, will be comprised of the chairman and nine additional members to include the director of alumni activities and the head coach of each sport or his/her designee. 2. Two-thirds of the selection committee must be present in order to select inductees. 3. The selection committee shall conduct its proceedings and selections in executive session and all matters that come before it, including the vote of the committee, shall be treated as privileged and confidential. 4. The selection committee shall consider and evaluate all nominees placed before it by the nomination ballot, together with all information pertaining to such nominees including such information as the members of the selection committee may provide through personal knowledge and investigation. 5. The selection committee shall keep an accurate and continuing record of all nominees and all members elected to the Sports Hall of Fame and such records shall be considered to be the property of Northeast Mississippi Community College. 6. In the event a member of the selection committee is nominated to the Hall of Fame, this member would be required to recuse himself or herself from voting for that year. 7. One additional member will be added to the selection committee each year. This member will be selected from past inductees on a one year rotating basis by the selection committee.
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ALUMNI
Hall of Fame
Northeast Mississippi Community College's Alumni Hall of Fame was established to recognize the achievement of outstanding alumni who have excelled personally and professionally, making a continued and significant difference in their community on a local, state, national, or international level.
2026 - 27 FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Kyle Smith, President Bryan McCutchen, Vice President Reid Bostick, Treasurer
COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Alcorn County:
STUDENT GOVERNMENT Lily Benjamin, SGA President
John Anderson Reid Bostick Rebekah Crabtree Brian McCutchen
ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE
Prentiss County:
Barbara Shackelford,
Alumni Relations President
EMPLOYEE ENHANCEMENT FUND Ellice Yager, EEF Chairperson
DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION D. Patrick Eaton, MBA, CFRE
Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Foundation Executive Director
Tiffany Johnson, CEOE Foundation Financial Officer
Lexie Fields, MBA Foundation Scholarship Specialist
NEMCC PRESIDENT Dr. Ricky G. Ford
Lee Bethay Jason Coley Doug Jumper Lonnie Murphy Brian Thrasher Hal Wright
Tippah County:
Dr. Marshall Hollis Douglas Jackson Kyle Smith
Tishomingo County: Janet Cornelison Larry Greene
Union County: Luke Staten Vance Witt
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Alumni Hall of Fame 6
A LU M N I H A L L O F FA M E C R I T E R I A F O R S E L E C T I O N 1. Individual must be an alumnus of Northeast Mississippi Junior/Community College. An alumnus is any person that has a verifiable academic transcript with the college. 2. Award is presented to the alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding traits of leadership and character to such an extent that it has brought great credit to the recipient and to the alma mater. 3. Nominee is distinguished in his/her chosen profession. 4. The accomplishments to be recognized may be achieved through the nominee's career, service, or volunteer efforts. 5. Nominee has demonstrated a high level of integrity in his/her personal life and has gained the recognition of various other persons around him/her.
ALUMNI HALL OF FAME NOMINATION & SELECTION PROCESS NOMINATION PROCESS: Nominations can be initiated by anyone including the nominee. All nominations must be received in an electronic (email) written format and include the following: 1. Completed nomination form 2. A written nomination letter explaining why the nominees should be considered for the award and summarizing the nominee’s collegiate, professional accomplishments, and community involvement. (community service, awards, organizations, etc.) 3. At least two letters of support 4. Electronic headshot of the nominee SELECTION PROCESS: The Northeast Alumni Relations Council members will review and select from the nomination documents. A maximum of five individuals will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame each year. AWARDEE WILL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Award recognition at the annual homecoming Alumni & Sports Hall of Fame Recognition Dinner. 2. ‘Grand Marshall’ during homecoming court ceremony during half time of homecoming game.
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2 0 2 6 N O RT H E A S T S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E I N D U C T E E
Mario Addison (FOOTBALL, 2006-2007)
Mario Addison became the first former Northeast Mississippi Community College football player to compete in the Super Bowl. Addison and his Carolina Panthers captured the NFC championship with a dominant 49-15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals to clinch their trip to the west coast for Super Bowl 50. His Panthers may have lost to Denver, but Addison had the hustle play of the game. He raced some 50 yards down the field to tackle a punt returner from the Broncos and prevent a special teams touchdown in the second quarter. Addison played for six different organizations over a phenomenal 12year professional career. He is still the only Northeast alumnus to remain active for more than a decade in the NFL. His cumulative statistics as a pro include 313 tackles with 193 of them recorded as solo stops, 118 quarterback
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hits, 70 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, seven pass deflections and four fumble recoveries. He appeared in 182 NFL games as primarily a defensive end and earned a start in 63 of them. Addison was used on occasion as a linebacker, but his natural position upon arriving at Northeast in the fall of 2006 was running back. The Birmingham, Ala., product switched sides and made an immediate impact for the Tigers with 46 tackles, including 10 of them for loss, and four sacks as a freshman. He also had a pick-six among his two interceptions that season. Addison obtained Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State honors one year later after leading the entire conference with a sensational 21.5 tackles for loss. He added 60 total takedowns, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a
pass break up during his sophomore in 2017. Addison posted career bests campaign. Addison returned to his of 44 tackles, 11 sacks and two forced native Alabama to conclude his fumbles to go with 15 quarterback hits. collegiate career at Troy University. Addison’s 55 sacks with Carolina are Addison was part of Troy teams from still the fourth most in franchise history. 2009-10 that received postseason He is also listed inside the top 10 allinvitations to the GMAC Bowl and the time for the Panthers in quarterback R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. He hits (second), forced fumbles (seventh) registered 69 stops, 21 tackles for loss and tackles for loss (ninth). and 12.5 sacks over two years with the Trojans. He was part of six teams that qualified for the NFL playoffs. Addison’s bid at He caught the eye of NFL scouts during a second Super Bowl berth fell short in a productive senior season at Troy that 2020 when his Bills lost to the Kansas featured 11 sacks, three forced fumbles City Chiefs in the AFC championship and a fumble recovery. Addison had game. three sacks in one game against Western Kentucky University. Addison helped Carolina claim three NFC South titles and Buffalo secure Addison signed his first professional two AFC East crowns. He accounted contract with Chicago as an undrafted for 17 stops, four tackles for loss, four free agent. He made his NFL regular quarterback hits and two sacks over 12 season debut on September 18, 2011 postseason contests. inside the Superdome when the Bears visited New Orleans. He concluded his football career with the Houston Texans in 2022. He bounced around between Chicago, Northeast originally inked Addison to Indianapolis and Washington before a scholarship as a two-time all-state and finally settling in Carolina for the all-area performer out of Tarrant (Ala.) last four contests of his second year. High School. Addison made the Queen City of Charlotte his home for the next seven full seasons. Addison had a four-year stretch with the Panthers from 2016-19 in which he racked up nine or more sacks each season. His 39 total sacks in that time frame ranked as the 11th best in the NFL. His top season statistically came two years after the Super Bowl appearance
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2 0 2 6 N O RT H E A S T S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E I N D U C T E E
Stephanie Breedlove (SOFTBALL, 1999-2000)
Stephanie Stubblefield Breedlove and her teammates laid the foundation for the future successes of the Northeast Mississippi Community College softball program. Breedlove was a member of the final two slowpitch teams in school history. Northeast joined the rest of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) in transitioning to fastpitch in the spring of 2001. She will forever hold the title of being Northeast’s only slowpitch All-American. Breedlove obtained that honor from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) following her sophomore year. The Ecru native tied the school record for highest batting average in slow-pitch that season at .487. She was selected by her teammates as one of two captains alongside Amy Brown.
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Breedlove was the recipient of the prestigious Tiger Award for softball in 2000. It is presented annually to a student-athlete from each sport at Northeast that represents themselves and their team in a positive manner at all times. Among the accomplishments of the Tigers that year was a third-place finish in the Northeast Tournament and an eighth consecutive appearance in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament after going 14-10 in north division play. Breedlove and the Tigers scored 15 or more runs 15 times. That includes a sensational 79 total runs in a doubleheader sweep over Coahoma Community College late in the season. Northeast won 20-plus games in both of Breedlove’s seasons on its roster. The Tigers’ 27 wins during her sophomore campaign fell just two short of tying the slow-pitch school record that was set in 1998.
Breedlove was part of a veteran squad as a freshman that featured nine returners. She fit right in and helped Northeast capture a share of the division championship with Itawamba Community College. The Tigers played in many close games during Breedlove’s first year with 17 decided by three runs or less. Northeast went a perfect 5-0 in one-run contests against division opponents.
One of the highlights of the season was a 15-9 decision over defending national runner-up Jones County Junior College at the Northeast Invitational. Breedlove belted a home run and had multiple hits in the marquee victory. The Tigers went 4-3 in their tournament, which was held at what is now New Albany’s BNA Bank Park. Breedlove also had multiple hits in a 13-6 win versus Pearl River Community College in round robin play.
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2 0 2 6 N O RT H E A S T S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E I N D U C T E E
Rod Coggin
(BASEBALL/FOOTBALL 1986-88; BASEBALL COACH 1995-2003) There are not many parts of the Northeast Mississippi Community College athletic department – or the institution itself as a whole – that have not been positively impacted by the work of Rod Coggin. Coggin has served Northeast in several positions in a 30-plus year career, including as an assistant coach, director of event planning and residential housing and currently as the vice president of student services.
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His first field goal at then-Keenum Stadium came one week later with a successful 31-yard boot in a win versus Holmes Community College. He added two more makes in a 20-10 victory over Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as Northeast improved to 4-1 overall. The Tigers went a combined 11-9-1 with Coggin on its roster. Northeast advanced to the state playoffs at the end of his final campaign as the north half runner-up with a 4-1-1 division record.
However, Coggin’s very first role at his hometown college was as a football player for head coach Johnny Plummer’s Tigers. He was primarily on the special teams unit, but also had experience in the defensive backfield at safety.
He was a perfect 26 of 26 on extra points and 3 of 6 on field goals that year. One of his makes was a 31-yarder that accounted for the only points in a defense dominated 3-0 triumph at East Mississippi Community College.
Coggin handled the place kicking duties from day one for Northeast. His first two attempts from 34 and 42 yards, respectively, gave the Tigers a lead in the third quarter of their season opener at Jones County Junior College that they did not relinquish.
Coggin made what is believed to be the longest field goal in program history at that time from 48 yards out in the fourth quarter of a blowout decision over Coahoma Community College on homecoming night. It was a record that stood firm for 24 years.
He also played a big part in the Tigers’ tight 21-17 rivalry win at Itawamba Community College by shifting field position with 42.5 yards per punt. He averaged 39.8 yards for the season punting along with 49.5 yards on kickoffs.
It was the first time in program history that the Tigers qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament for three consecutive years. Their 2000 team broke the school record for most wins in a single season with 26.
Coggin was one of seven Tigers that were selected for the Mississippi junior and community college all-star classic, which was hosted for decades by Northeast. He signed a scholarship to continue his gridiron career at Murray State (Ky.) University.
Coggin moved into the college’s administration following the 2003 campaign, but still remained intertwined with athletics. He had several behind-the-scenes tasks, including running the scoreboard and play clock for football contests at Tiger He was a multi-sport athlete at Stadium. Northeast that helped baseball turn things around by more than tripling He has been the official scorer, disc their win total between the 1987-88 jockey and public address announcer seasons. Coggin was described by for countless basketball games inside coach Ronnie Key as one of “our more Bonner Arnold Coliseum. He did the experienced men on the mound” as a same for softball prior to their move to sophomore. The Plex in 2020. He returned to Northeast in the fall semester of 1994 to assist headman Ray Scott in directing that same baseball program. They worked together for nine years and led the Tigers to playoff appearances from 1999-2001.
Coggin was even the sponsor of Northeast’s cheerleaders, which supported the football and basketball teams, for seven years. The program was co-ed and featured approximately 10-to-12 members at that time.
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2 0 2 6 N O RT H E A S T S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E I N D U C T E E
Krystal Robinson (WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, 2004-2007) Krystal Robinson overcame adversity throughout her tenure with the Northeast Mississippi Community College women’s basketball program. Robinson suffered a seasonending injury during the very first game of her sophomore year. She came back one season later, but had to miss eight contests after the Christmas break due to an eligibility issue.
The Covington, Tenn., native was selected as a preseason All-American ahead of her third year at Northeast. She led the Lady Tigers going into the region tournament with 14.3 points per outing.
She battled through both obstacles to guide the Lady Tigers to their tenth all-time conference title. Northeast defeated host and 10th-ranked Copiah-Lincoln Community College by a score of 64-51 in the finals of the 2007 state tournament.
Robinson was an instant impact performer upon her arrival to Northeast for the fall semester of 2004. Her team clocked in at eighth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll after winning five of their first six contests.
Robinson, who was described by her head coach Ricky Ford as a good three-point shooter and a threat inside the post as well, chipped in 13 points that night. She gave the Lady Tigers the lead for good on a layup with 8:59 remaining in the game.
The Lady Tigers rose to as high as No. 7 in the ratings coming out of the holidays. Northeast went on to secure the 2005 north division title and reach the semifinals of both the conference and region tournaments.
She was held to seven points, but
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pulled in a game-high 12 rebounds to help Northeast advance to the championship matchup with a thrilling 60-56 victory over archrival Itawamba Community College.
Robinson had several big performances as a freshman. She
accounted for 27 points, including 17 in school history while her average of in the second half, during her first-ever 19.6 points is tied for seventh best. meeting with Itawamba inside historic Bonner Arnold Coliseum. Her 223 rebounds that year are tied for ninth most and her average of nine per The 6-foot forward had a game-best 31 game is ninth on Northeast’s all-time points as the Lady Tigers topped the list. Robinson also had a 55.7 field goal century mark in her initial postseason percentage, which is still tenth best in appearance versus Meridian the record books. Community College. She had a teambest 21 points the next night against Robinson concluded her basketball Northwest Mississippi Community career by participating in the College. Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) all-star The 529 total points that Robinson game in Philadelphia. Ford and his scored during the 2004-05 campaign assistant Maurice Stafford got to serve are still the fifth most in a single season as her coaches one last time.
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2 0 2 6 N O RT H E A S T S P O RT S H A L L O F FA M E I N D U C T E E
Qyntel Woods
(MEN'S BASKETBALL, 2001-2002) Qyntel Woods stands alone as the first and only men’s basketball player to be selected in the NBA Draft directly from Northeast Mississippi Community College. Woods was the 21st overall pick in the 2002 first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was part of a talented draft class that featured Yao Ming and Amar’e Stoudemire among others. It was the start of an over 15-year professional career that eventually took Woods around the world. He spent four total seasons in the NBA with additional stops in Miami and New York. Woods participated in 171 games between the three franchises with regular season averages of 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds. He was a member of the Trail Blazers’ 200203 team that finished third in the NBA Pacific Division to advance to the Western Conference playoffs. He scored an NBA best 24 points in a matchup between the Knicks and Philadelphia on January 28, 2006. Woods had a second 20-point performance two
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months later inside historic Madison Square Garden against Boston. Woods had two doubledoubles that season versus Sacramento and Toronto. He grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds to go along with 14 points in a thrilling overtime meeting with the Kings. The 6-8, 220-pound small forward went overseas for the next decade to play for organizations in primarily European countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Poland and Spain. Most of Woods’ success came in Greece and Poland. He was a multi-time champion with Asseco Prokom of the Orlen Basket Liga and the most valuable player (MVP) of that league in 2010. Woods was the top scorer in the Polish ranks in 2009 at 19.2 points per contest. He was named as the slam dunk champion of the Hellenic Basketball Association (HEBA) in Greece one year prior. His last taste of pro basketball in the states came in the early days of the BIG3 three-on-
three league. Woods played for three different Woods posted a season-best 15 rebounds teams in as many seasons, including the along with 32 points in a triumph at 3-Headed Monsters in 2018. Mississippi Delta Community College. Woods transferred to Northeast ahead of the 2001-02 campaign from Moberly Area (Mo.) Community College. He averaged just shy of a double-double during his lone season with the Tigers at 32.9 points and 9.8 rebounds.
Woods became the third NBA Draft selection in Northeast’s rich basketball history along with Adrian “Odie” Smith in 1958 and Dontae Jones in 1996. He was committed to coach John Calipari and his hometown Memphis Tigers before signing with Portland.
He was well decorated as a result with first-team All-American, all-region and allconference distinction. Woods drew national headlines as well while at Northeast with a three-page feature and photo shoot in SLAM magazine ahead of the NBA Draft.
He received plenty of attention from college scouts after leading Carver High School to their inaugural Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class AA championship as a senior.
“I just saw him play last summer. I was amazed at his ability to take over the game at any time. He makes the game look easy,” current University of Memphis (Tenn.) head coach Penny Hardaway said in the June 2002 SLAM article.
Woods was the most valuable player (MVP) of the Class AA state tournament and a Super Five honoree from the Commercial Appeal after averaging 23.3 points per game. He also obtained all-state and all-district recognition.
He reached double-digits in all but one game with the Tigers and had 20-plus points in 20 out of 23 contests. The 756 points that Woods scored is still the tenth most in a single season in program history. His scoring average is the best for Northeast since the introduction of the three-point line in the mid-1980s. Woods is in the Tigers’ record book for the fourth most made free throws in one year at 230 as well. Woods produced a season-high of 55 points on 19 field goals against Bossier Parish (La.) Community College. He also had a 52-point effort in a road victory over Holmes Community College. He registered 15 double-doubles at Northeast, including nine in a row to conclude the year.
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Kent Geno (ALUMNI, 1981 - 1982 )
Booneville native, Kenneth Paul “Kent” Geno, Jr., P.E., president of Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc., has been selected as the 2026 inductee into the Northeast Mississippi Community College Alumni Hall of Fame. Geno attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College from 1981-82, graduating in 1982 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in preengineering. He continued his education at Mississippi State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering in 1984. Following graduation from Mississippi State, Geno began his professional career in Jackson, Mississippi, as a design engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Design Unit. In 1986, he joined Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc. as a staff civil engineer, beginning what would become a 40-year career with the firm. He became a principal in 1992 and has served as president of the company since 2000. As president of Cook Coggin Engineers, Geno has combined firm leadership with
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a hands-on approach to engineering and client service. A licensed professional engineer in Mississippi and Tennessee, his experience includes the planning, design, and management of a broad range of public works and infrastructure projects. He has served as county engineer for Alcorn, Tippah, Prentiss, Tishomingo, and Benton counties and currently serves Alcorn, Prentiss, and Tishomingo counties in that role. Throughout his career, Geno has played an important role in transportation infrastructure, public facilities, and economic development projects that have strengthened communities across northeast Mississippi. Geno has also remained active in professional leadership and service. He currently serves as president of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Mississippi and is a member of the Mississippi State University Civil & Environmental Engineering Advisory Committee. He has helped continue Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc.’s long-established
endowed scholarship for a local civil commitment to investing in the college, engineering student at MSU. its students, and its future. Geno is a past president of the Mississippi Association of County Engineers and continues to serve on its Legislative Committee. He also previously served as president of the Prentiss County Development Association, reflecting his longstanding involvement in economic and community development throughout the region.
Geno credits Northeast with providing the educational foundation that launched his career. In the decades since, he has continued to give back to the institution through his time, expertise, leadership, and financial support, helping ensure that future generations of Northeast students have opportunities to learn, grow, and build successful careers of their own.
A native of Booneville, Geno has maintained a strong and meaningful connection to Northeast Mississippi Community College throughout his career. As president of Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc., he has overseen or assisted with numerous projects that have enhanced the college’s Booneville campus, including the Field of Dreams Baseball and Softball Complex, the recent football field restoration, and the multiphase campus sidewalk and lighting improvements that have enhanced both the campus experience and pedestrian connectivity with the surrounding community.
Kent and his wife, Betty Gale, are the proud parents of Kenneth Paul “Kenny” Geno III (fiancée, Shelby Sweatt), and Cora Geno Scott (husband Jake). They are also proud grandparents of Gunnar Kent Scott and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of twins, a boy and a girl, expected in February 2027.
Kent and Betty Gale are active members of Jumpertown Methodist Church, where Kent serves as lay leader and Trustee chairman. In addition to their church and professional activities, Kent, Betty Gale, and their family own and operate several Jumpertown businesses and community landmarks, including Geno’s commitment to Northeast Geno’s Family Restaurant, the Geno extends far beyond his professional Farm Museum and Event Center, the involvement. He helped establish a circa 1913 Curlee General Store, and their Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc. endowed most recent endeavor, the establishment scholarship for a pre-engineering of “The Steeple” and “The Southern student at Northeast and has supported Charm Hall” rental venue. opportunities for students through the NEMCC Internship Program for Civil Through a lifetime of professional Engineering Technology. Through both achievement, community service, and his personal giving and the generosity unwavering support of Northeast of Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc., Geno Mississippi Community College, Kent has helped provide more than $90,000 Geno exemplifies the spirit of the in support to Northeast over the Northeast Alumni Hall of Fame and the years, demonstrating a longstanding lasting impact of a Northeast education.
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ALUMNI HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2012
2016
MG Augustus Leon Collins William “Billy Joe” McCoy
Travis Childers
2013
Hugh McLarty
James Seth Pounds Cathy M. Roberson
2014
Dr. William G. Jackson
2015
Vance Witt Earline “Woodsie” Woods
2017
2018
Harold Lomenick
2019
Sam Mosley
2021
ZonaDale Lyons Taylor Malcolm White
2022
Mike Staten
2023
Barbara Shackelford
2024
Mike Lester
2025
Hudson Hickman
2026
Kent Geno
SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 2008
Bonner Arnold Charles “Doodle” Floyd Gene Garrett Kenneth Lindsey Kenneth “Cat” Robbins David “Nub” Strickland Adrian Smith W.B. “Bill” Ward Harold T. White Earline “Woodsie” Woods
2013
Ellis “Myrl” Crowe Mike Lewis Ray Scott Larry “Jerry” Reno Harry T. Crosby
2014
2009
Gaylon Baird Nathan “Ned” Davis Jerry Long Brenda Mayes Chase Porch
2010
Phillip Chapman Robert Henry Tamica Pierce Jones Tim Kesler Donnie Clayton
Harvey Childers Gerald Caveness Clyde Jones Larry Parker Evelyn Thompson David M. Carnell, Jr. Phyllis Stafford Dilworth Mike Grier Kunshinge Sorrell Howard Jack Martin
2011
Jim Drewry Johnny Buskirk Vincent Del Negro Sherry Slayton Holland Ricky Ford
2012
Audrey Covington Benjamin Guy Gardner Freddie Copeland Brandi Vondenstein Dannelly Malcolm Kuykendall
2015
2019
Anthony Gamble Billy Southward Shirley Hall White
2021
Jerry “Lefty” Harrelson Mario Stevenson Eric Batchelor Tim McDonald
2022
Tim Cole Robert Gordon Lisa Jansen
2023
Johnny Payton Fred Stafford Brynden Trawick
2024
2016
Craig Lauderdale Bruse Loyd Will Robertson Antoine Wilkerson
2017
Deltorio "Bam" Campbell Andy Greening Jessica Hooker Lindsey Thompson Barry Todd
2018
Mario Addison Stephanie Breedlove Rod Coggin Krystal Robinson Qyntel Woods
Anthony Anderson John O. Cunningham Ronnie Key Maurice Stafford Emma Braddock Dontae' Jones Jim Lamb Josie Lingrin Jerome Woods Brandon Farley Mitch McNeely Millard Lothenore
2025
2026
*Due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, there was not a hall of fame class selected for 2020.