Former Florida A&M head football coach William "Billy" Joe will be among six honorees in this year's the Hall of Fame Divisional Class for 2007 during Enshrinement Ceremonies July 19-21, in South Bend, Ind.

The Hall of Fame Divisional Class for 2007 considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics).

Joe, recorded a 31-year collegiate coaching career spanning three institutions - Cheyney (Pa.) State, Central (Ohio) State and Florida A&M University.


The second-winningest coach in Black College Football history behind the late Grambling State Head Coach Eddie Robinson, Joe compiled a 237-108-4 record in 31 seasons.


At Florida A&M from 1994 to 2005, Joe was the second-winningest coach in school history behind College Hall of Famer A.S. "Jake" Gaither (203), finishing his 12-year stint 86-48-0.

During his tenure at FAMU, the Rattlers won one Black College National Championship in 1998; four undisputed Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001), and made seven (7) consecutive postseason appearances (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) at one stretch. Joe's teams produced 20 All-Americans and five Black College Players of the Year while at Florida A&M.

His 1998 Florida A&M team (11-2) won 11 straight games and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, while his 1999 squad finished 10-4 and made it to the semifinals of the playoffs.

The 2007 class includes:

PLAYERS
Tracy Ham - QB, Georgia Southern, 1983- 86
Joe Kendall - QB, Kentucky State, 1934- 36
Frank Sheptock - LB, Bloomsburg (Pa.), 1982-85
Jessie Tuggle - LB, Valdosta State (Ga.), 1983-86

COACHES
Jim Christopherson - Concordia College (Minn.) (1969-2000), 218-101-7
William "Billy" Joe - Florida A&M (1994-2004), Central State (Ohio) (1981-93), Cheyney (Pa.) (1972-78), 237-108-4

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