BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Five of the Gulf South Conference’s greatest student-athletes or administrators have been elected to the GSC Hall of Fame Class of 2024. 

The newest members of the GSC Hall of Fame included Delta State football’s Josh Bright, men’s basketball coach Bill E. Jones from Jacksonville State and North Alabama, Valdosta State Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard, Alabama Huntsville softball’s Kristin Spencer Spearman, and West Florida softball’s Krissy Styrna.

“We are excited and pleased to be able to induct and celebrate all that this hall of fame class has accomplished,” said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. “Their careers, collectively and individually, are the embodiment of the Gulf South Conference and what it has continually strived to achieve for the last 50-plus years. Congratulations to all of this year’s members.”

Honorees were submitted by their respective institutions and selected by the conference’s Hall of Fame Selection committee. 

This is the conference’s tenth Hall of Fame class, as membership, including the new elected class, now stands at 50, since its inception in 2014. 

The GSC Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be celebrated Thursday, May 30 as part of the conference’s annual award ceremony at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Hotel in Pensacola, Fla. Information regarding tickets or how to watch will be released at a later date.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CLASS OF 2024

Josh Bright
School: Delta State (1998-2001)
Sport: Football, QB 

Three-year starting quarterback for Delta State leading the team to two GSC titles (1999, 2000) and a NCAA Division II national title in 2000, the school’s first D2 title … Two-time All-GSC selection (2000, 2001) and was the GSC Offensive Player of the Year (2000) … Three-time GSC All-Academic Team selection (1999, 2000, and 2001) … At time of induction, was among GSC single-season leaders in rushing touchdowns (1st/21), total touchdowns (4th/21), rushing yards (7th/1,495) and total points scored (7th/126) … Finished his DSU career with 6,363 total yards of offense, passing for 4,027 passing yards and 41 rushing touchdowns. Ranked 5th in program-history in total points scored (251), 6th in total yards of offense, 7th in passing yards … Was a Don Hansen All-American Honorable Mention (2000), won Conerly Trophy as Mississippi’s top collegiate football player (2000), named Mississippi Amateur Athlete of the Year (2001).
 

Bill E. Jones
School: Jacksonville State (1974-95), North Alabama (1972-74)
Sport: Men’s Basketball, Head Coach

Served as head coach in the GSC for 21 years, including 19 at Jacksonville State (1974-95) and two at North Alabama (1972-74). Compiled a 399-147 (.731) record as a GSC head coach, ranking second in career winning percentage and tied-second in wins … JSU’s all-time winningest head coach with a 371-135 record, led the program to six GSC regular season titles and four tournament crowns. Led the Gamecocks to eight NCAA tournament appearances, going 16-9, made eight trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, advanced to the DII Final Four in 1985 and 1989, winning the national title in 1985 … Jones was a three-time GSC Coach of the Year and coached four GSC Players of the Year, a GSC Rookie of the Year, two GSC Freshmen of the Year, 30 All-GSC Players and two All-Americans … The court at Jax State’s home arena–Pete Mathews Coliseum–was named Bill Jones Court in 2018 ... At time of induction, was the only Jax State men's basketball player to have his number retired.
 

Herb Reinhard
School: Valdosta State (1992-2024)
Sport: Administrator, Athletic Director

One of the longest tenured Athletic Directors in GSC history, leading the Valdosta State program for 32 years … Was one of the GSC’s two representatives for the NCAA Gold Award in 2023 honoring the 50th Anniversary of NCAA Division II … Guided VSU Athletics to seven national titles with 50 of 54 GSC titles for VSU under his watch … Credited with expanding VSU women’s athletics with the reinstatement of volleyball (1995), along with the addition of women’s soccer (2011) … Served on numerous NCAA Division II committees from including Ad Hoc Championship Committees, Football RAC, Membership, which he later chaired, and a six-year term on the Management Council. 
 

Kristin (Spencer) Spearman
School: Alabama Huntsville (2002-06)
Sport: Softball, 

Two-time NFCA All-American (2005, 2006) ... Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2005, 2006) … Designated All-Region Team status four times from 2003-06 … Named All-GSC First Team in 2004, 2005, 2006 … Voted as one of the best players during the decade, earning a First Team spot on the GSC All-Decades Softball Team (2001-10) … At time of induction, was the GSC all-time leader in doubles in a season (29) and seventh in season At Bats (239), while ranking seventh in career games played (249) … Ranked fifth at UAH in hits, sixth doubles and ninth in triples. 
 

Krissy Styrna
School: West Florida (1999-2002)
Sport: Softball, P/3B

Four-time First Team All-GSC member (1999-2002), GSC Freshman of the Year (1999) and four-time GSC All-Tournament Team honoree … Two-time NFCA First Team All-America & All-Region and NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team selection (2000, 2001) … NCAA Division II South Region Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2002) and GSC All-Academic Team (2001, 2002) … Winner of the 2002 GSC Commissioner’s Trophy and 2000s GSC All-Decade Team (First Team, P; Second Team, 3B) … At time of induction, ranked second in GSC history in career At Bats (793), third in Games Played (268), seventh in doubles (63), eighth in hits (280) and 10th in win-loss record (80-22). GSC single-season records included; fifth in Innings Pitched (291.2), sixth in Wins (34), Shutouts (16) and Games Started (40) … Pitched one perfect game and two no-hitters on the mound for the Argos.