Northwest establishes an athletics hall of fame

First inductees to be honored at halftime of Friday’s football game

Shirley was instrumental in hiring the coaches that helped lay the foundation for the Jaguars’ successful athletics program and was supportive of the program as an extension of the classroom.

Custis lettered in four sports (football, basketball, indoor track and outdoor track). He was the first Northwest athlete to earn a Division-I college scholarship — for football at the University of Maryland, where he played defensive back for four years. He was named All-Gazette in football and track, where he was part of a state-winning relay team.

Hardy lettered in three sports (basketball, indoor track and soccer). She was a state champion in the long jump in indoor track, and was a standout on the basketball court, where she became the first female athlete from Northwest to earn an athletic scholarship — to Bowie State. She became an NCAA Division II All-American at Bowie and went to play professionally in Europe and in the WNBA.

Llerena focused his athletic abilities solely on soccer. He was an All-Gazette performer during his career and went on the play forward and midfielder for four years at American University.

Phillips lettered in three sports (football, indoor track and outdoor track). He earned a scholarship for football to Penn State and is currently a reserve defensive back on the practice squad for the New Orleans Saints.

Pope won letters in three sports (football, wrestling and baseball). He was a regional champion as a wrestler and was All-Gazette as a football player. He went on to become an NCAA Division III All-American at McDaniel College as a defensive back and return specialist. He’s served two tours of duty for the Army in the Middle East.

The candidates were elected to the hall of fame by a seven-person selection committee. Candidates needed five of seven votes. New inductees will be honored every two years.