Benedict College Athletics

James Byrd always came through in the clutch for the Benedict Tigers. He ignited a nine-point rally in the final three minutes as Benedict beat Allen University, 74-64, in the NAIA District 6 game. James Byrd scored a total of 16 points. On February 16, 1975, James Byrd, who led the Tigers' scoring with 18 points, pumped in a 15-foot jump shot to ignite an 11-point explosion in the Township Auditorium as the Tigers beat Allen 83-77 in overtime.
 
He canned a pair of layups in the closing seconds to give Benedict College an 85-80 victory over Morehouse College in the semifinals of the Eastern Division playoff of the SIAC Basketball Championship, and he scored 19 points in the 122-71 win over Talladega in the opening round of the Georgia Invitational Tournament. In a win over Alabama A&M, he was the big gun for the Tigers with 24 points. He scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds when Benedict defeated Tuskegee 97-63.
 
As a freshman, he led Benedict in rebounding. As a senior, he was second on the team in scoring and rebounding. Mr. Byrd was selected to the College of South Carolina Basketball Tournament All-Star Team in 1972 and 1973.
 
Mr. Byrd is committed to helping young boys and girls learn the skills needed to become athletes who love playing sports by coaching youth league basketball and football. He has also served as a referee for adult league basketball in Richland and Lexington Counties.