After a stellar career at Hattiesburg High School, Jack Gallagher’s plan was to play one year of football at PRCC, then transfer to a major college.

“I actually wanted to play for the University of Miami, but they could not bring in any more out of state players at the time, so I came to Pearl River,” said Gallagher. “I did so well there my first year, I stayed for two years.”

One reason the 1971 and 1972 Pearl River Community College Wildcats finished with a combined 18-2 record, including a No. 5 ranking in the nation in 1972 was the talented Gallagher, who was a first-team All-American and All-State wide receiver-defensive back.

“We were a pretty dominant team back then, especially my sophomore year,” said Gallagher, who makes his home in Louisville, Ky. “It seemed like every time we played, we scored on our first series. It was like that was scripted to happen.”

Gallagher played for John Russell and J.C. Arban during his time at The River. Gallagher, who's father coached the PRCC men's basketball team from 1954-62, went into the Marine Corps after his time at PRCC and then finished up at Louisville.