Curtis Davis, Class of 2008

Curtis Davis learned to play tennis as a youngster on homemade dirt courts in his hometown of Vancleave. He played basketball while attending Perkinston Junior College in 1946-48.

At Mississippi State College (1948-50), Davis played tennis, advancing to the semifinals in Southeastern Conference play in 1950 -- a first for his college.

Davis began his work career at Perk in 1950 as a vocational-technical instructor and soon became the tennis coach. In nine seasons, Davis's men and women won 72 matches, lost 2 and tied 2, garnering seven Mississippi junior college state championships.

In 1960, he gave up his coaching responsibilities to play an important role in the formation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District. He was named dean of the new Jackson County Campus in 1964 and retired in 1991 as JC Campus vice president.

Davis's tenure with the college totaled 41 years and seven months -- the 20th century record. He was a member of the inaugural class of MGCCC’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

In late 2000, Davis received word that he would be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame on May 14, 2001.