In a long-established partnership with Thomas Elementary School, the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame opened its doors Thursday morning so that 53 students could meet local sports heroes and hear the importance of overcoming challenges to succeed in life.

The students toured the Hall’s interactive displays at Fresno State’s Save Mart Center and met with Hall of Fame inductees J.D. Williams, Yvette Roberts, Rod Perry, and Maxie Parks.

Williams, a former Buffalo Bills first-round draft pick, Fresno State All-American, and Super Bowl player, gifted a signed Bulldogs football helmet to a boy who had profiled him a year ago for his school Black History Month project.

Visibly moved, the longtime Fresno State assistant football coach promised to make arrangements for the student to attend a Bulldogs game this fall.

Research and Presentations

Under the program, students come to the Hall of Fame, and pick an inductee to write about. During the session, they have an opportunity to ask questions of the inductees. They return to school and do further research. On Feb. 27 at Thomas Elementary, they will read their reports and present photos.

Events like these fulfill one of the Hall of Fame’s biggest missions: Exposing youth to the importance of education, discipline, and teamwork in life.

“This day is about telling the kids what it takes to be successful on and off the field. Not just in sports, but in life,” said Perry, who starred at Hoover High School before becoming a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the Los Angeles Rams.

Said Roberts, perhaps the greatest women’s basketball player in Fresno State history: “It’s amazing that you can come in here, touch one button, and get everybody’s information. It’s just so awesome.

“I think if they can see all the hard work we put into it, and giving back to the community, and they can see what they can do. I think’s it’s pretty important.”

Cammie Southern, advisor to the school’s Black Student Union, gives the program and the Hall of Fame a thumbs-up.

“This really connects where the kids are with technology,” she said. “So, I think it’s pretty cool.”