BIRMINGHAM – Former Jacksonville State head football coach Charley Pell will be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday evening as one of eight members selected in the Class of 2012.

Pell will be inducted along with Artis Gilmore, E.J. Junior, Bryan Kirkland, Andre Tippett, Steve Wallace, Dan Washburn and Mal Moore.

Pell served as the head football coach of the Gamecocks from 1969-1973 and finished his career as the winningest coach by percentage with a record of 33-13-1 during his five seasons.

Under Pell's guidance, JSU went a perfect 10-0 to claim the Mid-South Championship in 1970 and win the Orange Blossom Classic over Florida A&M at Miami's Orange Bowl. The Gamecocks finished that season ranked number 2 in the final NAIA football poll and was the only undefeated team in the NAIA that season.

Pell earned Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honors in just his second season and coached two little All-Americans in center Jimmy Champion (1970) and tailback Boyce Callahan (1973). Four of his former players made it to the National Football League.

He also held the dual role of being Jacksonville State's athletic director during his tenure. He went on to serve as head coach at Clemson and the University of Florida during the 1970's and early 1980's. His 1978 Clemson team went 10-1 and captured the ACC Championship. His overall coaching record was 84-43-5 and a .636 winning percentage.

Pell played collegiately at the University of Alabama and was a member of their 1961 National Championship team. He was an All-SEC guard and defensive tackle.

Pell, who passed away on May 29, 2001, is also a member of the Jacksonville State Athletic Hall of Fame.