2025 Varsity "M" Letterwinners Club Athletic Hall of Fame

Ivy Bush-Lawrence (Volleyball, 2006-09)
Ivanti Bush left an indelible mark on the Morgan State volleyball program from 2006 to 2009, achieving remarkable success early in her collegiate career. Her freshman year was nothing short of sensational, earning her the coveted MEAC Rookie of the Year title. Further solidifying her impact, Bush was also named to the making significant contributions All-MEAC Second Team and the MEAC All-Tournament Team in 2006. Her outstanding performance earned her the Team MVP award that same year. Throughout the 2006 season, Bush consistently impressed, earning the distinction of MEAC Rookie of the Week four times and even being named MEAC Player of the Week once, showcasing her immediate dominance in the conference.

In 2006, she led the team to a historic victory over UMBC, recording a career-high 31 kills alongside 14 digs. Later that year, she demonstrated her defensive prowess with a career-best 25 digs against St. Francis-Pa. Her outstanding performance led to her being named MEAC Rookie of the Year, making her only the fourth Lady Bear to receive this honor. The following year, she was recognized as Morgan State's Female Athlete of the Year. In 2007, Bush ranked eighth in the MEAC for kills with an impressive average of 3.43 per set. She further solidified her place in Morgan State history by becoming the tenth player to join the 1,000-kills club. Beyond her athletic achievements, Bush also excelled academically, earning a spot on the Morgan State All-Academic First Team and receiving the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award in 2008. Furthermore, she was named to the Gonzaga All-Tournament Team in 2007, showcasing her talent on a broader stage.

Her career totals place her among the elite, ranking her 3rd all-time in attempts (3,262), 10th in kills (1,040), and 15th in digs (768). These statistics highlight her offensive prowess and all-around contribution to the team. Looking at her single-season achievements, Bush's 2006 season stands out, ranking 6th with 430 kills and 4th with 1,200 attempts, demonstrating a peak of offensive productivity. Her 2009 season also saw a high volume of attempts, showcasing her consistent role as a key attacker. Furthermore, Bush's leadership qualities are evident, as she led Morgan in kills in 2006 and kills per game in 2008. Her MEAC ranking of 24th all-time in kills per set in 2006 further solidifies her reputation as a dominant offensive force within the conference.

Maurice Burton (Football, 1976-79)
Maurice Burton was a true standout on the Morgan State football team, leaving an indelible mark on the program. His exceptional play earned him a 2nd Team All-MEAC selection in 1978, followed by a stellar 1979 season where he garnered both 1st Team All-American and 1st Team All-MEAC honors. Burton was instrumental in the Bears' success, helping them secure a Conference Co-Championship in 1976.

A dynamic player, he set an NCAA record for the longest kick return in 1977. Demonstrating his versatility, he started at cornerback in his final game of the 1977 season, recording two interceptions. He continued his strong play at cornerback, posting 5 interceptions in 1978 and a remarkable 8 interceptions in 1979, while also leading the nation in kickoff returns that same year. As a MEAC Champion, Burton's accomplishments earned him a spot in the prestigious Black All-Star game held in New Orleans. He ultimately chose to pursue his professional career in the Canadian Football League (CFL), playing for Edmonton, Montreal, and Hamilton after passing on the NFL draft.

Clarence Holzendorf (Football, 1977-80)
Clarence Holzendorf etched his name into Morgan State football lore with a stellar 1979 season. As a key component of the MEAC Undefeated Champion team, Holzendorf shone brightly. He proved a vital receiving threat, ranking second in the MEAC with 30 receptions. His impact extended beyond pure volume, as he led the Bears with an impressive 553 receiving yards and a remarkable 20.5 yards per catch.

Holzendorf's knack for finding the endzone was evident, placing him second in scoring with four touchdowns. His exceptional performance earned him well-deserved recognition with a selection to the 1979 All-State College Team, solidifying his status as a standout player. In 1980, he achieved a remarkable season, showcasing his prowess as a receiver. Ranking second in total catches with 51, he remarkably led the league with 910 receiving yards, tying for first place with 4 touchdowns. Further highlighting his exceptional talent, he boasted the highest yards-per-catch average at an impressive 18.2 yards. By the end of the 1980 season, he had cemented his legacy as a career receiving yards leader with a total of 1,463 yards. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the prestigious Black Sheriden All-Star game held in Mobile, Alabama, a testament to his skill and contribution to the sport.

Esther Johnson Smith (Volleyball, 2004-07)
Esther Johnson-Smith was a dominant force on the court at Morgan State, where she reached the remarkable milestone of 1,000 kills as just a sophomore, becoming the first player in program history to achieve this feat. Her exceptional play earned her second-team All-MEAC honors early in her career, along with recognition for her academic achievements as a recipient of the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award and a first-team Arthur Ashe Scholar selection. Johnson-Smith continued to excel, later securing first-team All-MEAC honors and a second selection to the All-MEAC Tournament team. She was also recognized as a team Co-MVP and earned another MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award, solidifying her legacy as a true scholar-athlete and one of the most accomplished players to ever wear a Morgan State jersey.

Her collegiate career was nothing short of remarkable, punctuated by consistent high-level performance and numerous accolades. She burst onto the scene as MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2004, a year that also saw her lead the conference in total attacks and attempts, earning her a spot on the MEAC All-Tournament Team and a second-team All-Conference selection. The following years solidified her dominance, earning back-to-back First Team All-Conference honors in 2005 and 2006. Her consistent excellence was further validated by four MEAC Rookie of the Week selections and another All-Tournament Team nod in 2005. Even in her final year, 2007, she remained a force, earning a second-team All-Conference selection, a testament to her enduring impact on the court.

A true standout in Morgan State volleyball history, she rightfully earned a place on the MEAC Top 50 Players of All Time list. Her dominance is evident in the record books, where she holds two Morgan State single-season kills records from 2004 and 2005, showcasing her offensive prowess. Furthermore, she demonstrated incredible consistency and endurance by claiming three single-season attempts records in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Her defensive skills were equally impressive, as she also secured three single-season dig records during the same period. Beyond single-season achievements, she cemented her legacy by becoming the First Morgan State All-Time Career Kills Leader and the First Morgan State All-Time Career Attempts Leader. Rounding out her all-around contributions, she ranks 10th in Morgan State All-Time Career Aces and 3rd in Morgan State All-Time Career Digs, solidifying her status as one of the program's most impactful and versatile players.

Alan Mitchell (Track & Field, 2003-06)
A dominant force in the mid-2000s, Alan Mitchell distinguished himself as a versatile and exceptional athlete. Specializing in the decathlon, a ten-discipline event set over two days of competition with the winner determined by the highest number of points accumulated, Mitchell left an enduring legacy. Tellingly, his athletic contributions were vital and evident at championship time, making it easy to define him as a “Championship Athlete.”

His crowning achievement came in 2005 when he set a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships record in the decathlon, a record he held for 20 years and a testament to his all-around athletic prowess. At that same Championships, he was recognized as the MEAC's Most Outstanding Athlete by also winning the javelin throw, placing third in the discus throw and seventh in the pole vault. His herculean efforts contributed 28 of the 59 total points scored by the Morgan State Men’s Track & Field team at the 2005 Championships, propelling them to a sixth-place finish in the eleven-team competition. Later that season, he went on to establish the highest ever decathlon score by an athlete from a MEAC institution at the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) Outdoor Track & Field Championships. This record remains unmatched and unbroken.

At the 2004 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Mitchell announced his arrival to the MEAC by securing the decathlon title, taking second place honors in the javelin throw and sixth place in the discus throw. His performance resulted in the third-highest men's individual point total at the competition and 21 of the 57 total points scored by the Morgan State Men’s Track & Field team at the 2005 Championships. Mitchell signaled his intentions at the start of the 2004 season with a dominant decathlon win at the Charlotte 49er Track & Field Classic, scoring 200 more points than his closest rival.

Mitchell’s legacy is indisputable with a string of accolades, beginning with him clinching the 2003 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships javelin title as a freshman and being named Morgan State Freshman of the Year that same year. He continued to shine as a Bear, earning the prestigious title of Morgan State University Most Valuable Athlete for Track and Field in both 2004 and 2005, solidifying his impact on the program. A 2x NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Regional Championships Qualifier, he confirmed his championship pedigree as a Morgan State athlete.

Mitchell remains one of the MEAC’s Top 2 decathlon scorers of All-Time, solidifying his position among the MEAC's all-time greats. His impact on the Morgan State Men’s Track & Field program was immediate as a freshman and continued throughout his final competition as a senior. From 2003 to 2006, Mitchell scored points for Morgan State’s Men’s Track & Field team at every MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Based on the numbers, Mitchell is the greatest ever Morgan State and MEAC decathlete.

Mitchell's commitment to excellence extended far beyond the track. A true scholar-athlete, he was a recipient of the prestigious Varsity “M” Club Award for Academic Excellence, Effie T. Payne Achievement Award, and the MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Award. He was recognized as a MEAC Charles Salters Honor Scholar, received an Outstanding Morgan Man Academic Award, and a Morgan State Regents Scholar, graduating Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications and an impressive 3.97 GPA, consistently making the Dean's List.

Prior to Morgan State, Mitchell attended Queen's Royal College (high school) in his native Trinidad & Tobago and etched his name in track & field lore. In 2002, he earned his high school’s Most Outstanding Athlete accolade, then competed at Trinidad & Tobago’s National High School Games and won the title of Most Outstanding Athlete. That same year, he competed at the National Senior Championships and was crowned the National Senior Champion in the decathlon for the second year in a row. His prowess in multi-discipline events is highlighted by a decathlon first-place finish at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Junior Track and Field Championships in Barbados, alongside a heptathlon first-place finish at the 2000 CARIFTA Games in Grenada and a second-place finish at the 2002 CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas.

Courtenay Servary (Lacrosse, 1972-1975)
Courtenay Servary distinguished himself as a formidable lacrosse goalie during his time, earning recognition as a 1974 Men's Lacrosse All-American Division II Honorable Mention. His skill only intensified the following year, when he received 3rd Team All-American honors for his outstanding performance as a goalie. A particularly memorable game showcased his exceptional talent: Servary's goal-tending prowess was on full display as he stopped an impressive 25 shots from Washington & Lee University. His efforts were crucial in keeping Morgan State in the game, despite trailing 5-2 at halftime against Washington & Lee, the nation's highest-ranked team.

Servary's performance was instrumental in orchestrating the stunning upset victory, a David-and-Goliath moment that reverberated throughout the lacrosse world. In recognition of his pivotal role in the triumph, Servary was presented with the game ball. That very ball now occupies a place of honor within the hallowed halls of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, forever commemorating Servary's contribution to the sport.

In 2018, the Hall of Fame Committee bestowed a special honor, recognizing the 1975 Team of Distinction. In 1974 and 1975, this athlete achieved the prestigious recognition of All-American status while competing for Morgan State University. His outstanding performances on the lacrosse field garnered him this honor, as confirmed by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). Notably, he earned this distinction across both Division II and Division III levels.

His talent and dedication cemented his legacy as a significant contributor to Morgan State's lacrosse program during that era, the nation’s first and only college lacrosse team at a historically black institution.

James Turk (Basketball, 1961-1965) (deceased).
James Turk's stellar basketball career at Morgan State University solidified his place among the elite athletes of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). His outstanding performance during the 1964-1965 seasons earned him the prestigious All-CIAA distinction. Turk consistently averaged 25 or more points to lead the Bears.

His high level of play led to his well-deserved selection to the All-State team for Maryland, a testament to his dominance within the state's collegiate football landscape. Furthermore, his outstanding contributions to Morgan State not only solidified his place in the team's history but also earned him All-CIAA honors in 1965. At the time, he was only the fifth player in Morgan State's esteemed history to achieve such a prestigious distinction.

Swimming and Diving Championship Teams (1952-75)
The Morgan State Swimming and Diving Team established a noteworthy legacy despite its relatively short existence. From its inception in 1952 to its conclusion in 1975, the program achieved significant success, most notably securing eight Conference Championships. This period of dominance included an impressive streak of six consecutive titles, highlighting the team's consistent excellence. These championship years fell within two distinct eras, first in 1954-1955 and 1956-1957, and later between 1968 and 1974, covering the seasons of 1968-1969, 1969-1970, 1971-1972, 1972-1973, and 1973-1974.

1950 4x400m Relay Team
Morgan's fabled 1950 record-breaking 4x440-yard Championship of America relay team will be inducted into the Penn Relays Wall of Fame. The foursome consisted of Samuel LaBeach, Robert Tyler, William Brown, and George Rhoden.

In 1950, Morgan's sensational quartet ran off with the prize race at the Penn Relay Carnival in the record-breaking time of 3:13.6, breaking the previous Penn Relays record of 3:14.8 that had stood since 1939. The team featured LaBeach (49.9), Tyler (48.7), Brown (47.5), and Rhoden (47.5), giving Morgan its first victory at the Penn Relays and vindicating themselves for a disqualification that had deprived them of the same honor in 1949.

After Morgan's 1950 breakthrough victory, the Bears established a dynasty, claiming four more 4x440 titles over the next 32 years. This period solidified Morgan's reputation as a sprinting relay national powerhouse in collegiate track throughout the 1950s.

Morgan’s historic foursome was inducted this year into the prestigious Wall of Fame at the 2025 Penn Relays Carnival. Decades after their blistering performances captivated audiences and etched their names into relay history, the runners were finally being recognized with the highest honor the carnival bestows.