Rhodes College Athletics

RJ Harper, Craig Solomon, Jerry Hampton, Tom Mullady and Jim Fink are all members of Rhodes Athletics Hall of Fame. They were all great football players with tremendous individual skills. All of them would tell you they could not have achieved their success without their coaches and teammates. So today’s induction of the 1977 football team to the Hall of Fame is an affirmation of the contribution of each player and coach to the 9-1-1 recorded compiled by the 1977 Lynx, Rhodes’ all-time greatest football team.

The 1977 Lynx had all the qualities of a great team. They had a great quarterback with speed and skill at the running back and receiver positions. The offensive line was undersized, but very smart and athletic. Defensively, the secondary could cover and tackle, and the front seven not only had size, but they were aggressive and great pursuit skills. The kicking game was strong in every phase.

Dick Thornton was the perfect head football coach for the 1977 Lynx. He deployed an offensive scheme that allowed players to use their individual talents within a wide-open, creative offensive scheme. He had the wisdom to allow Larry White, the Lynx defensive coordinator who had produced several nationally-ranked defenses, to run the defensive  show. Dick Thornton exuded confidence and he inspired his players to play hard and make big plays.

Great football teams not only have talent, they also have great senior leadership. Each senior on the 1977 football team had a different style of leading and playing that game. Jake Scott played with great poise and was the mainstay in the defensive secondary. Joe Woodley inspired a great work ethic and preparation by the offensive line. Rhodes Said and Steve Masters were extremely consistent and fundamentally sound. Jimmy Hall played with great passion and made numerous big plays. With the Lynx scoring more than 40 points in several games, Frank Barton’s leg was counted on quite often. RJ Harper had great speed and was a weapon both as a runner and receiver.

When Dick Thornton arrived at Southwestern in 1976, he proclaimed SAM (Southwestern at Memphis) was coming. SAM arrived in the fall of 1977 and the members of the Lynx football team let the whole country know it with their success and style of play. For the thrills they provided on Fargason Field and their loyalty and contributions to their alma mater, it is an honor for Rhodes College to induct the 1977 Football Team into the Rhodes Athletics Hall of Fame this 3rd day of October, 2008.