POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Pearl River Community College will recognize the "Best of the Best" when it celebrates the 2025 induction class during the Athletics Hall of Fame banquet on July 25. The banquet is sponsored by Keith's Superstores and will be held at the Hollywood Casino & Resort in Bay St. Louis.
PRCC will proudly induct football and men's basketball's Larry Brackins, football's Steve Moody, women's basketball's Polly Kirkland and men's soccer's Stephen Kulikowski as members of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The first person to don the W.C. Rivers mascot outfit, Eric "Poncho" James, will be this year's Spirit of a Wildcat Award recipient.
Additionally, PRCC will recognize the 2004 National Champion football team, the 1994-95 Region 23 women's basketball team and the 1994-95 Region 23 men's golf team.
In addition to the banquet, PRCC will hold its annual four-person scramble golf tournament at the Bridges Golf Club. To meet overwhelming demand, Pearl River is adding a second golf flight this year. The first flight will begin at 8 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.
Prior to the banquet, PRCC will host a social at 6:30 p.m. The banquet will begin at 7 p.m.
Banquet tickets are $100. Golf teams are $600. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Tickets to the golf tournament and banquet can be purchased at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets can ONLY be purchased in advance. No walk-up tickets will be available.
LARRY BRACKINS
Brackins was a two-sport standout for the Wildcats, starring in both football and men's basketball. He was a huge factor in the Wildcats taking home both the MACCC title and the 2004 NJCAA National Championship on the football field. In 2004, he caught 55 passes for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns. His receiving yardage is still PRCC's single-season record. He also holds the career record with 1,889 yards.
Brackins tallied 11 catches for 167 yards and two scores in the National Championship game alone. On the basketball court, Brackins helped lead the Wildcats to a 2003-04 MACJC Championship.
Brackins is one of just a few players with the rare honor of being drafted out of a two-year institute as the Tampa Buccaneers selected him in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
POLLY KIRKLAND
Kirkland served as women's basketball coach from 1987 to 1999. She amassed a program record 199-130 record during her 12 seasons as coach. Kirkland coached the Wildcats to their first conference title in 1994 and a Region 23 championship in 1995. The 1995 team reached the "Sweet 16" and finished in seventh-place in the 1995 National Tournament.
Kirkland guided the Wildcats to three undefeated home records in 1994, 1995 and 1999. Her teams won 20 games four times.
STEPHEN KULIKOWSKI
Kulikowski was a prolific goal scorer and leader for the Pearl River men's soccer team from 2002-04. During his sophomore season, Kulikowski was a huge part of Pearl River's success, scoring 16 goals on the way to winning the 2003 MACCC and Region 23 Championships.
STEVE MOODY
Moody was a two-year starter for the Wildcats defense in 1974-75, starring as a defensive tackle. He was selected by his teammates to serve as a team captain during his sophomore campaign. He earned an All-State selection and represented Pearl River in the Mississippi JUCO All-Star game. Moody continued his playing career at Delta State, where he was voted All-Gulf State Conference and an All-American.
SPIRIT OF A WILDCAT AWARD
James was Pearl River's first mascot. He was encouraged by Dean Miller Hammill to try out and was the mascot for two years. After leaving PRCC, he was USM's mascot. He established the Poncho James Wildcat Scholarship in 2011.
REUNION TEAMS
The 2004 Pearl River Wildcat football team won the MACJC Championship and went on to defeat top-ranked Butler (Kan.) 35-14 in the Dalton Defenders Bowl to win the 2004 NJCAA National Championship. The team included Hall of Fame members Jimmy Oliver, Matthew Lott and Frank Harry and 2025 inductee Larry Brackins.
The 1994-1995 women's basketball team, guided by 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Polly Kirkland, did what no other Wildcat team had done, winning the Region 23 Championship. The Wildcats went on to reach the "Sweet 16" of the NJCAA National Tournament. Pearl River, MCC and NJCAA Hall of Fame member Elaine Powell was a member of the 1995 Wildcats.
The 1994-1995 men's golf team claimed the MACJC Conference and Region 23 titles by seven strokes. Head coach Mike Humphreys was named Division III Coach of the Year and sophomore Brandon Stewart was named to the All-State and All-Region 23 teams. The team also included freshman and future Pearl River Hall of Fame inductee, Coby Scarborough.
PREVIOUS INDUCTEES
Previous inductees who are planning to attend the banquet are encouraged to contact Mary Alice Chandler at mchandler@prcc.edu or 601-403-1193 to provide their jacket size. The deadline to submit jacket information is June 1, 2025.
Anyone who registers before the deadline can pick up their jacket at the 2025 ceremony. Former inductees who are planning to attend the banquet are encouraged to wear their jackets.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Sponsorship packages are available for both the banquet and golf tournament. To secure your sponsorship package or donate to the event, contact Chandler at mchandler@prcc.edu or 601-403-1193.
HOW TO NOMINATE
Know a former Wildcat who you believe should be considered in the future? Nominate by visiting https://prccathletics.com/hof/Hall_of_Fame_nomination_form or visiting PRCCAthletics.com/HOF and clicking the nomination form link at the top of the page.
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