SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State University will induct ten new members into the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held on May 28, 2010 at 7 p.m. in Tiger Arena.

The Class of 2010 includes:

Lee Blitch, baseball and football player (1974-78): All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference catcher in baseball (1975, 76, 77,78); SSU Baseball MVP in 1977; All-SIAC defensive back in football in 1975 and 1976; Played in the Atlanta Braves minor league system for three years; Native of Claxton, GA who now lives in Union City, GA.

Orlando Dean, football player (1989-92): Named to All-SIAC Defensive Team in 1990, 91, 92; led team in sacks in 1990, 91; Associated Press Little College All-America First team in 1992; Black College Sports All-America in 1992; Native of Macon, GA who now lives in Kennesaw, GA.

Douglas Grant, football player (1990-92): Set the single season record for receptions and yardage in 1990; led team in receiving 1990, 91, 92; Named All-SIAC First Team as wide receiver 1990, 91, 92; Named Black College Sports All-America 1991,92; Named top statistical punt returner in NCAA Division II 1992; Atlanta, GA native.

Casey Grigley, football player (1984-86): Led team in rushing 1984, 85, 86; First statistically documented running back to gain 1,000 yards rushing from scrimmage in modern football era in 1986; All-SIAC running back in 1986; Atlanta, GA native now living in Morrow, GA.

Frankie Harper, football, basketball and baseball player (1968-72): Named All-SIAC as defensive back in 1970, 71,72; All-SIAC basketball in 1970; All-SIAC in baseball as catcher in 1972; Savannah, GA native.

Mabel Sanders Heath, women's basketball player (1988-92): All-SIAC center in 1990, 91, 92; Black College Sports Information Directors All-America Team 1990-91, SIAC Player of the Year in 1991-92, Led the SIAC and the nation statistically in NCAA Division II rebounding; Augusta, GA native.

Leo Richardson, coach (1964-71): Head football coach from 1964-68, head men's basketball coach from 1964-71; Won Southern Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (SIAC) in basketball and named Coach of the Year in 1969-1970; Won SEAC championship in football and named Coach of the year in 1967; 1969-70 team led NAIA and NCAA small colleges in scoring; Currently lives in Columbia, SC.

Shannon Sharpe, football player (1986-89): All-SIAC First Team as a flanker in 1987, 88, 89: Co-SIAC Player of the year in 1989; Kodak Small College All-America First Team in 1989; Named College Player of the Year in Georgia in 1989; First SSU football player to play in Blue-Gray Classic in 1990 and East-West Shrine Game in 1990; owns SSU single season receiving records for yardage, touchdowns and yards per catch; Played in NFL for 14 seasons; Glennville, GA native who also lives in Atlanta, GA.

Tim Walker, football player (1976-80): Named to Atlanta Constitution's All-SIAC Division III First Team as middle linebacker 1976, 77, 78, 79; First SSU football player named to Kodak All-America First Team 1979-80; Associated Press Small College All-America Honorable Mention 1979-80; Most Outstanding Athlete by 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta, GA in 1980; Georgia Amateur Athlete of the Year by Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980; Played with Seattle Seahawks of NFL. Native of Warner Robins, GA.

Theodore A. "Ted" Wright, coach (1947-62): Started track & field program at SSU and served as head coach from 1949-56 and won seven SEAC titles; developed physical education program at SSU; head football coach in 1947 and 1949; coached SSU men's basketball team to 10 SEAC titles from 1947-62; Named SEAC Coach of the Year in 1959-60; His 1962 basketball team led NAIA in scoring; Awarded (posthumously) the SIAC Outstanding Pioneer Award for his contributions to the development of the SIAC in 1989; Native of Baldwin City, KS.

Dr. Julius Scott will serve as the keynote speaker at the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Scott served as interim president of University System of Georgia institutions at Savannah State University, Albany State University and the Medical College of Georgia. Prior to serving the University System of Georgia, Scott held the presidency of Wiley College from 1996 – 2001. He also held two appointments as president of Paine College, first from 1975 – 1982, and later from 1988 – 1994.

Tickets for the induction ceremony will be $40 per person and can be purchased by contacting Selena Warner at (912) 353-3073; or e-mail warners@savannahstate.edu. Tickets will be sold from April 21 – May 28, 2010l.

The 2010 inductees will be the third induction class in SSU history. SSU inducted 17 members in 1973 and 12 members in 1974.