Under the lights of the Clyde Muse Center on the campus of Hinds Community College in Pearl, eight of Mississippi’s finest were forever etched into the state’s sporting pantheon on Saturday night. The 2025 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was a sold-out, standing-room-only celebration of coaching excellence, gridiron greatness, hard-court legends, and trailblazing leadership.
The Class of 2025 offered a little bit of everything—Super Bowl highlights, March Madness runs, state championship legacies, and decades of service to Mississippi athletics. Friends, family, and fans came together Saturday night to honor careers that have shaped the sports fabric of the Magnolia State.
Meet the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Scott Berry — Southern Miss Head Baseball Coach (2010-2023)
Known for his humility and consistent leadership, Scott Berry served as the head coach of Southern Miss baseball from 2010 until his retirement in 2023. Berry led the Golden Eagles to multiple NCAA Regionals, two Super Regional appearances, and nine 40-win seasons. His teams captured six Conference USA titles, and his steady hand transformed USM into one of the nation’s premier mid-major programs.
Berry, who began his coaching career as an assistant under Corky Palmer, was beloved by players, fans, and fellow coaches alike. “It is just a humbly honored day for me, and I share it with all the players and coaches along the way, the 34 years that I had in the state of Mississippi,” Berry said. “Certainly, everybody’s journey isn’t a walk by itself, and this walk, and this journey, was with several people that I’m grateful for.”
Steve Freeman — Mississippi State (1971-1974) NFL Defensive Back (1975-1987); NFL Official (2001-2019)
Steve Freeman was a lockdown defensive back at Mississippi State in the 1970s before carving out a 12-year NFL career, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He tallied 23 interceptions, earned the respect of quarterbacks league-wide, and played in an era where hard hits weren’t just expected — they were celebrated.
After retiring from playing, Freeman did the unthinkable: he returned to the league as a highly respected NFL official, wearing the stripes for over a decade, including multiple playoff appearances before retiring after the 2019 season.
Freeman’s journey from Starkville to the NFL and then to the sidelines as a referee is one of the most unique in football history.
Mike Justice — High School Football Coach (1977-2012)
Over a coaching career that spanned almost four decades, Justice molded teams at Calhoun City, Louisville, Madison Central and Gulfport, turning all of them into perennial winners. His 297-98 career record and four state championships makes him one of the most successful high school football coaches in Mississippi history.
He collected multiple state championships, but more impressively, he influenced thousands of lives. Known as a program builder, Justice was also a master motivator who blended old-school discipline with deep personal care for his players.
Dexter McCluster — Ole Miss (2006-2009) NFL Running Back (2010-2016)
Listed at just 5-foot-8, Dexter McCluster made sure every inch of his frame counted. A two-sport star from Largo, Florida, McCluster became an instant fan favorite at Ole Miss, dazzling SEC defenses with breakaway speed, cut-on-a-dime moves, and a contagious smile. He has the second most all-purpose rushing yards in Ole Miss history.
In 2009, he rushed for over 1,100 yards, earned All-American honors, and turned the Cotton Bowl into his personal playground with 86 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round, McCluster earned All-Pro honors as a punt returner and played seven NFL seasons for the Chiefs and San Diego Chargers.
“Today is amazing, just being a part of something so special,” he said. “Back in 2006, when I first came here, I was 17 years old. I never thought about this day happening, but what’s ordained, and what’s meant, is meant to be. So, I’m elated, happy, and excited about this opportunity.”
Derrick Nix — Southern Miss Running Back (1998-2002); College Football Coach (2003-present)
In the fall of 1998, Derrick Nix burst onto the scene at Southern Miss, rushing for over 1,000 yards as a true freshman and earning C-USA Freshman of the Year. But just as his NFL dreams came into view, he was struck by a rare kidney disorder as a result of taking some medication to treat an injured ankle. The kidney disorder nearly ended his career — and his life and he later sued Pfizer, the makers of the medication that he was treated with.
Remarkably, Nix battled back, played two more seasons, and emerged as a symbol of perseverance in college football before his kidney disease worsened in 2002 and he was forced to retire his senior season. After his playing days, he found a second calling in coaching. Now one of the top offensive minds and recruiters in the country. Coaching at Southern Miss (2003-2007) Ole Miss (2008-2023) and now as the Offensive Coordinator at Auburn (2024-present) Nix has coached several All-SEC backs and remains one of the most respected assistant coaches in the nation.
Steve Rives — Delta State Men’s Basketball Coach (1986-2006)
Steve Rives brought grit and greatness to Delta State University, where he led the Statesmen to five NCAA Division II tournaments, multiple Gulf South Conference titles, and over 300 wins. But Rives’ impact can’t be measured in banners alone — his passion for the game influenced every player who wore the green and white.
Rives was known for animated sideline theatrics and deep devotion to the Xs and Os. His practices were intense, his expectations sky-high, and his loyalty to his school unmatched.
Robbie Webb — Golf Pro
Inducted posthumously. After at outstanding college career at Southern Miss, Webb became the longtime pro at Canton and Deerfield country clubs. Webb taught and coached many future college golfers and amateur and professional champions. Robbie is known to golfers throughout the state as the “Godfather of Mississippi Golf.” Robbie was the Head Golf Professional at Canton Country Club (1963-1979; 1988-2007).
Robbie was the founder and coach of the Madison-Ridgeland Academy golf team (1988-2007). He has coached 26 junior players who earned college golf scholarships and his golf students earned 10 MS State Open titles and 3 Men’s State Amateur titles. The Mississippi Golf Association created the Robbie Webb Award in 2000, to recognize those individuals who have given of their time and resources to junior golf.
Mo Williams — NBA Player (2003-2017); College Basketball Coach (2018-present)
Before he was an NBA All-Star and NBA Champion, Mo Williams was just a kid from Lanier High School in Jackson with a dream. That dream took him to the University of Alabama, and then to a 13-year NBA career where he averaged 13.2 points per game, made the 2009 NBA All-Star Team, and won a ring with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Now back in Jackson as the head coach at Jackson State, Williams has embraced his role as a leader, mentor, and symbol of homegrown success. “My story started on Ferris Street,” Williams said. “And I came back to finish it here — by helping the next Mo Williams find his way.”
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