VANDERBILT ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME - CLASS OF 2008
Perry Wallace (Basketball, 1966-1970)
Perry Wallace would have become a premier Hall of Fame candidate even if he didn't make Southeastern Conference history by becoming the SEC's first African-American basketball player. Wallace was a star student-athlete who went on to an outstanding career in law and education.
First African-American basketball scholarship athlete in Southeastern Conference history
Jersey retired by Vanderbilt University in 2004, one of only three in school history
Attended Nashville's Pearl High School where he stared on undefeated state championship basketball team, the first year Tennessee integrated its high school tournament.
Sought by approximately 80 universities, mostly located in the north
Arrived on Vanderbilt's campus in the fall of 1966
Still is the school's second leading rebounder and ranks 35th in scoring, playing just three years from 1968-70.
Named all-Southeastern Conference his senior year
Won the SEC Sportsmanship Trophy after a vote by the league players in 1970 and has been honored many times since leaving Vanderbilt.
In 1996 the National Association of Basketball Coaches named him to its five-man Silver Anniversary All-America team.
2003 inductee into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
2004 "SEC Living Legend" honoree.
Graduated from Vanderbilt with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Mathematics
Earned his J.D. degree in 1975 from the School of Law at Columbia University.
Professor of law at The American University in Washington, D.C. since 1991.
On the faculty of the University of Baltimore and was an attorney with the United States Department of Justice.
Also served as a legislative analyst for Mayor Walter Washington of the District of Columbia and was a field representative for the National Urban League.
Return to 2008 Hall of Fame Class
