Murphysboro High School Hall of Fame: Class of 2015
David KellumAthlete 1975-1979
David Kellum lettered in basketball and ran track while attending Murphysboro Township High School and Murphysboro High School. In basketball, David played and started varsity for 4 years. He currently ranks 12th on the all-time scoring list with 1207 points, despite missing significant time his senior season due to a knee injury. He played on two IHSA “AA” Regional Championship Teams (1977-78 & 1978-79). In the sport of basketball, David was named: All-Conference three times, All-South two times, and was also named honorable mention All-State. Upon graduation, David played for the legendary Coach Tom Ashman at John A Logan College in Carterville IL. |
As a member of the John A. Logan College Men’s Basketball Team from 1979 to 1981, he led the Volunteers to a combined 47-12 won-loss record. The leading scorer and rebounder during the 1980-81 season, David established a single season scoring record of 555 points. Team co-captain on the 1981 conference championship team, he was selected All-Conference, All-Region and he played in the Illinois Community College All-Star Game. David finished his career at The University of Alabama in Huntsville where he lettered for two seasons. In 1989, David Kellum was enshrined into the John A. Logan College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Tony KellumAthlete 1974-1978
Tony Kellum lettered in football and track while attending Murphysboro Township High School. He was an excellent track athlete, but it was on the football field where he excelled. Tony was one of the most elusive running backs in all of Southern Illinois. He was named All-Conference during both his junior and senior years, and All-South during senior season. Tony was also named honorable mention All-State in addition to being named the team Most Valuable Player his final season. Tony helped guide the Red Devils Football Team to two consecutive Southwest Egyptian Conference Titles and two consecutive trips to the IHSA State Playoffs, both in 1977 & 1978. |
While Tony was the target of every opposing defense, he will always be remembered for his production on November 9, 1977 during a first-round IHSA State Playoff game vs. Lawrenceville. On this day, Tony rushed for 345 yards and six touchdowns (both of which were IHSA state records at the time). His six touchdown effort is an IHSA 3A State Playoff Game Record which still stands today. Tony now joins 3 of his brothers into the Murphysboro High School Red Devils Athletic Hall of Fame.
Travis KellumAthlete 1980-1984
Travis Kellum lettered in basketball, football and ran track while attending Murphysboro High School (1980-84). In basketball Travis played varsity for 4 years. He currently ranks 9th all-time in scoring (1335 points), 5th all-time single season scorer (587 points) and 15th all-time single season scorer (503 points) and tied with older brother Jerry Kellum for 1st place all-time single game scorer (49 points). As a sophomore he started on the 1981-82 Regional Champion, Sectional Champion and Sweet Sixteen Team. He was selected team MVP honors his Junior and Senior year. During his senior season, Travis was named: 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All-South, 1st Team Carbondale Holiday Tournament, 1st Team Belleville Tournament and honorable mention All-State. |
Upon graduation, Travis followed in his brothers’ footsteps and played for the legendary Coach Tom Ashman at John A Logan College in Carterville, IL. He finished his career at The University of Alabama in Huntsville where he was a starter and an All-Conference Selection.
Jim RainesAthlete 1955-1959
Jim Raines graduated from MTHS in 1959. Jim participated four years and earned letters in football and track while at MTHS. In track, Jim was known for his ability with the shot put and also as a long jumper, quite a contrast for a person of his size. During his senior year he set school records, conference records, and Carbondale Relay records in the shot put. He also consistently long jumped in excess of 19 feet and finished strong in the heavyweight 100 yard dash at the Carbondale relays his junior and senior years. Jim’s abilities on the football field were extraordinary where he played both offense and defense on the line as tackle and defensive end. Jim was selected all conference first team both his junior and senior years. |
He was voted co-captain of the 1958 team that went undefeated, the first team in MTHS history to win 10 games. The entire 1958 team was inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame in 2014. The final game of his senior year, Jim was allowed to play in the backfield for a few plays. On one of those plays, Jim sprinted in excess of 50 yards for a touchdown. Both Jim and teammate Kin Lavender were offered full scholarships to several Division 1 schools in football. Both chose Missouri, largely because of their feeling that Mizzou was on the verge of being a national championship team. Such was the case for a period of Jim’s sophomore year where Mizzou was ranked #1 late in the season, while finishing ranked #5 at the end of the regular season. #5 Missouri was selected to play in the Orange Bowl following the 1960 season against #4 Navy, a team made more famous by running back Joe Bellino who won the Heisman trophy that year. Missouri’s stiff defense held Navy to a total of negative eight yards rushing for the game and defeated Navy by a final score of 21-14. Jim’s career at Missouri unfortunately ended after his sophomore year when health issues led to the early termination of his athletic career. Jim spent his adult life in the Southwest, living in Colorado and New Mexico and raising his family of four children.
Humbert RodgersMr. Humbert Rogers was and remains one of the greatest of the very many wonderful fans and friends of Red Devil Athletics. Excited as a youth and while attending MTHS by feats on the gridiron and the track Humbert became passionate for all sports Crimson & Corn. For over fifty years he loyally attended football and basketball games, held a stopwatch at track meets, and kept score for softball and baseball games. His career at GTE (Verizon) played second string to following his team. It was common “Hawkeye” to be present at three different Red Devil athletic events...in the same day. By virtue of his love for athletics and scholarship, his appreciation for the endeavor, and his great generosity, student-athletes have received the benefit of hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support.
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Gene WardAthlete 1957-1961
During Gene’s high school career, he became one of the most successful all-around athletes to ever represent Red Devil Athletics. In football, Gene won four varsity letters and played on Red Devil teams that won over thirty varsity games during his career. As a sophomore, he was a member of the 1958 undefeated (10-0) team. His strength and spirit made him a constant scoring threat for a traditionally strong football program. After graduation from M.T.H.S., Gene attended the University of Memphis on an N.C.A.A. football scholarship. He became a three year starter and played on the 1963 team that was undefeated and held the nation’s number one ranked team (Ole Miss) scoreless. |
In track and field, Gene was a major contributor to four consecutive Conference Championships and a Southern Illinois District Championship. As a senior, he won conference titles in four events; the 100, 400, discus, and varsity relay. During the summer, Gene played baseball with the Murphysboro American Legion team. He played centerfield for the 1959 Legion State Championship team and also the 1960 Legion State runner-up team. In the 1959 state championship game, Gene hit a two run home run to defeat Berwyn in extra innings at Riverside Park in Murphysboro. Gene’s Red Devil Athletic heritage runs deep, as his father, Delmar Ward, was captain of the 1934 M.T.H.S. football team.
Mike WilliamsAthlete 1985-1989
Mike was a 1989 graduate of MHS. He grew up in Murphysboro and participated in basketball, track, and football. He played football all 4 years of high school, starting three years at fullback and tackle. His freshman year Mike led his team to a 7-2 record. He earned a varsity starting position his sophomore year playing defensive end. His junior year he was moved to linebacker. Mike led the team in tackles both his junior and senior years. He was known to be one of the hardest and most ferocious hitters to play at Murphysboro. The statistician joked that he never had to look up when recording tackles because he could tell from the sound of the collision that Mike made the tackle. |
Mike was a Southern Illinois Coaches Association All-South selection his junior and senior years; MVP, team captain, and All-conference in the Southwestern Egyptian Conference his senior year. All three years Mike started varsity, the Red Devils made the playoffs including his senior year when the team advanced to the Final Four in Class 4A. During one of those playoff wins Mike neutralized one of the IHSA career best running backs limiting him to less than 100 yards on the day. Mike also recovered a key fumble for a touchdown giving the Red Devils the win. Upon graduation Mike went to Illinois State University as a preferred walk-on. He later became a full scholarship player and received national recognition when he was honored as a Sports Illustrated College Player of the week. While at ISU, Mike had a total of 5 interceptions returning 1 for a touchdown. He is ranked 7th in Career All-Time interception returns and 4th in Single-Season interception returns. He had a total of 246 tackles including 8 sacks of the quarterback. Mike is remembered by his family and friends for his unselfishness, great strength and character. Mike left a positive impact on the lives of others.