Football or not, James "Snuffy" Smith was coming to Pearl River Community College back in 1971.

"We had eight kids in my family and all eight went to Pearl River, including my dad (Moses Smith)," said Smith. "Some of us finished and some of us transferred. We had two boys and six girls. I was next to the youngest. The oldest kids helped the younger kids in school."

As a prep player at West Marion Academy in Foxworth, Smith played wherever the coach needed him - linebacker, nose guard, defensive end, running back. Since he only weighed about 170 pounds, no college offers came his way.

He enrolled at PRCC his freshman year. In the spring, coach John Russe.11a sked him to walk on with the Wildcats. Second day of practice, Russell offered Smith a foll scholarship and, as they say, the rest his history.

He rotated as a starter his freshman year, then came into his own as a sophomore, leading the Wildcats to the state championship game. He earned all-state and All-American honors for a PRCC team that finished 9-1-1 and finished No.5 in the country in total defense.

"Most of us on that team were not very big, but we were all pretty quick," said Smith. "We beat Delta in the regular season, then lost to them in the championship game."

Indeed, the Wildcats held eight opponents to seven points or less.

Smith's accomplishments on the football field have earned him a place in the college's Sports Hall of Fame. He will be inducted at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, during 2013 Homecoming festivities.

"It is an honor to be chosen," said Smith. "So many good athletes went to school there when I was there. They should also be going into the Hall of Fame. It is an honor and a privilege."

The way Smith, 60, tel ls it, going to college was a breeze compared to what he faced if he didn't. "My dad was a mechanic by trade, and a farmer," he said. "He raised cattle. My mom had a two-acre garden. They grew watermelons. When they started to row garden watermelons, that's when I knew I had to go to college. I knew what hard work was when I was growing up."

As a freshman at Pearl River, he was part of a three-man rotation at linebacker. He started some games, but "coach rotated us through nearly every play."

That 1972 team finished 9-1.

As a sophomore, Smith became "was always around the ball. One of the most aggressive players we had," said assistant coach Herb Mon-is. Smith had seven interceptions and led the team in solo tackles.

Smith went on to sign with Delta State University, where he played in the secondary for coach Robert McGraw before graduating with a physical education degree.

"Pearl River was one of the happiest times in my life," said Smith. "I have no regrets about my decision. They housed me, fed me and let me play football. You couldn 't ask for anything more."

He met his late wife, Alison Wise of Picayune, at Pearl River his freshman year of football. They had three daughters.

Following college, Smith moved to Bay St. Louis, where he went into coaching. After eight years, including five as Bay High's head coach, he got into the insuranc e business. After 26 years, he is retired and back living in Foxworth.

All who know Smith refer to him as Snuffy, a nickname he picked up in the eighth grade. "My junior high coach and principal started calling me that and the name just stuck," said Smith. "Nobody knew my real name until I got into the insurance business."