MSU Reveals 2022 M-Club Hall Of Fame Class
June 01, 2022 | Baseball, Football, Athletics, Softball, Track & Field
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State athletics is set to enshrine five new members into the MSU Sports M-Club Hall of Fame, as well as recognize two prior inductees, on the weekend of the Bulldogs' October 1 home football game against Texas A&M.
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The Class of 2022 features All-American athletes Bruce Castoria and Michelle Gates-Fitzgerald from baseball and softball respectively, standout defensive back Kirby Jackson from football, Olympic qualifier Lee Palles from track and field, as well as longtime football coach and administrator Wesley Reed.
The NCAA championship-winning women's tennis doubles tandem of Jackie Holden and Claire Pollard will also be honored. Holden and Pollard were a part of the M-Club Hall of Fame's Class of 2020 but were unable to attend their original induction ceremony last year.
"We're excited to welcome the newest inductees into the M-Club Hall of Fame," Mississippi State Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "All of these individuals are incredibly deserving. They've all left a lasting impact on not only their specific sport, but Mississippi State as a whole. We look forward to celebrating their inductions later this year."
The 2022 MSU Sports M-Club Hall of Fame Gala is set for Friday evening, September 30. More information on the event will be released at a later date.
Here are details for those set to be celebrated this fall:
MSU SPORTSÂ M-CLUBÂ HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022
Bruce Castoria (Baseball – 1979-82)
A part of two different College World Series teams at Mississippi State, Castoria stands as one of the top hitters to ever wear the maroon and white.
The first baseman's 29 home runs in 1981 led all of college baseball that year and are tied for the most in a single season in MSU history. His career total of 58 homers places him third on the school's all-time list. Castoria also ranks among the Top 10 in State history in career RBI (third with 213) as well as slugging percentage (ninth with a .603 mark).
In three different seasons, Castoria led the Bulldogs in home runs (1980, 1981 and 1982). He also paced the club in RBI in 1981 and 1982.
All of Castoria's production led to multiple accolades. He was tabbed as an All-American in 1981 and won both All-Region and All-SEC honors in both 1981 and 1982.
Castoria was selected in the seventh round of the 1982 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.
Michelle Gates-Fitzgerald (Softball – 1997-00)
Gates-Fitzgerald was an offensive force for Mississippi State at the turn of the century.
An All-American and two-time All-SEC selection, Gates-Fitzgerald was a part of the Bulldogs' first-ever NCAA Tournament team in 2000.
Gates-Fitzgerald's name is all over the MSU record book. She ranks second in State history in career doubles (55), third in triples (21), sixth in RBI (159) and 10th in batting average (.332).
As for single-season marks, Gates-Fitzgerald is tied for third in triples (10 in 1998) and sixth in assists (157 in 2000).
While she played the infield, Gates-Fitzgerald also pitched and owns the fifth-best career ERA in program history (1.91). She won a State record 10 consecutive decisions in the pitching circle in 1997.
Gates-Fitzgerald played professionally with the Ohio Pride of the Women's Professional Softball League in 2000.
Kirby Jackson (Football – 1983-86)
Jackson shined as a defensive back for Mississippi State over his four years playing in the program.
A three-year starter, Jackson tied for the team lead in interceptions in both 1984 and 1985. He would go on to finish his Bulldog career with 196 tackles and five interceptions.
Jackson was taken by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft before eventually landing with the Buffalo Bills where he would lead the team in interceptions in 1990 and finish third on the squad in picks in 1991.
With the Bills, Jackson was a part of four different Buffalo teams that reached the Super Bowl. He won multiple individual honors along the way, including an NFL Defensive Player of the Week Award in January of 1992.
Lee Palles (Track & Field – 1975-78)
Palles excelled in both indoor and outdoor events for the Mississippi State track and field program. He stands as one of the school's top all-time performers in multiple events, including the high jump and decathlon.
Palles' success in the decathlon led him to great heights. After winning an SEC individual championship in the event in 1978, Palles later qualified for the 1980 Olympic Games.
In addition to Palles' proficiency in the decathlon, he also was chosen as an Outdoor All-American in 1978 for his performance in the 400m hurdles.
Wesley Reed (Football/Administration – 1970-2017)
A vital part of Mississippi State athletics for decades, Reed served the university as both an assistant football coach and administrator.
He joined the football coaching staff in 1970 and guided multiple position groups over the following years. Previously a high school football coach, Reed was able to use those connections to help bring top talent from the state of Mississippi to MSU.
Reed would later transition to the administrative side of athletics. As the Associate Athletic Director for Special Projects, Reed helped raise funds and played a significant role in the development and progress of Mississippi State's athletic facilities, as well as served as a proud ambassador for MSU athletics.
MSU SPORTS M-CLUBÂ CLASS OFÂ 2020 HONOREES
Jackie Holden and Claire Pollard (Women's Tennis • 1986-87-88-89)
Holden and Pollard are two of the most decorated players in program history and comprised State's best doubles team ever.
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In 1989, Holden and Pollard claimed the SEC Doubles Championship before being crowned NCAA Doubles Champions to end their senior seasons. The tandem finished the year as the nation's top-ranked duo, receiving All-American and All-SEC recognition for their stellar performance. In addition, Holden and Pollard were named the 1989 Volvo Collegiate Series Doubles Team of the Year and earned main draw entries into the 1989 Wimbledon and U.S. Open Championships.
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Holden and Pollard are tied for first all-time in MSU women's tennis history with 178 career victories each. Pollard still ranks first all-time in doubles wins with 111, while Holden follows in second with 106 victories. Both players are among State's career Top 10 in numerous singles and doubles categories, and each excelled academically as Bulldogs as ITA Scholar Athletes and Academic All-SEC honorees.
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Pollard began what has been a very successful coaching career at MSU when she led State's women to an 11-10 record in 1991. She continued her career at Lamar as the men's and women's head coach from 1994-98 and currently serves as the head women's coach at Northwestern where she has been since 1999. In her 22 seasons, Pollard has led the Wildcats to 17 top 25 finishes (nine top 10s) and 12 Big Ten titles. She is a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and was the 2008 Wilson/ITA National Coach of the Year.Â
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Holden served as Pollard's Assistant/Associate Head Women's Tennis Coach at Northwestern from 2008-14, which saw the Wildcats advance to the NCAA Round of 16 six straight seasons and the national quarterfinals twice. NU finished all seven of Holden and Pollard's seasons coaching together in the ITA top 15, including the 2008 and 2009 campaigns ranked No. 2 nationally.