C.E. "Big House" Gaines Hall of Fame
John Leon Whitley, known simply as Leon Whitley is inducted into the WSSU C.E. “Big House” Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame for his meritorious service to the WSSU Department of Athletics. A four-year letterman for the Rams’ basketball team and a member of the Rams’ 1953 CIAA Championship team, Whitley completed a stellar career as student-athlete. However, it would be his services to legendary coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines that would earn him enshrinement into the C.E. “Big House” Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame. Following his graduation from WSSU, Whitley became the chief recruiter for the Rams and is credited by Coach Gaines as being responsible for recruiting Theodore “Teddy” Blunt and the man who many regard as the best basketball player in WSSU history, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.
