EMCC’s Quinton Dial joins Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame
Former East Mississippi Community College football standout Quinton Dial was inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame during Tuesday night’s 20th annual induction banquet held at the Clyde Muse Center on Hinds Community College’s Rankin Campus.
PEARL – Former East Mississippi Community College football standout Quinton Dial was inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame during Tuesday night's 20th annual induction banquet held at the Clyde Muse Center on Hinds Community College's Rankin Campus.
Dial overcame his humble beginnings growing up in his hometown of Clay, Alabama by discovering the weight room and finding his way to the gridiron at Clay-Chalkville High School. After being named the 2008 Class 6A Defensive Lineman of the Year and making the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Super 12 team as a high school senior, Dial became a two-year defensive force for Coach Buddy Stephens' East Mississippi Community College Lions. After being a member of EMCC's first-ever MACJC State/Region 23 football championship team as a freshman in 2009, he enjoyed a breakout sophomore season by being named to the 2010 NJCAA All-American Second Team and NJCAA All-Region 23 squad after totaling 76 tackles, including 3.5 quarterback sacks.
"I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame. It is an incredible privilege to join this esteemed group of athletes," Dial said. "I also want to express my deepest gratitude to East Mississippi Community College for nominating me for this prestigious honor. Your recognition and support mean the world to me."
Dial went on to complete his successful collegiate career in his home state as a member of back-to-back (2011-12) Bowl Championship Series (BCS) National Championship teams with Coach Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide. In 25 career games played for the Tide, he registered 45 total stops and 7.5 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks.
Upon being selected in the fifth round of the 2013 National Football League Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, Dial spent four seasons with the 49ers before winding down his pro career in 2017 with the Green Bay Packers and then retiring from the game in 2019. During his 59-game NFL career that included 34 starts, Dial recorded 145 total stops, including nine tackles for loss with 4.5 quarterback sacks.
Much of Dial's success while in San Francisco was also accomplished off the field with his community service involvement. During a four-year span, he was a three-time recipient of the 49ers Community Relations Veteran Service Award. Dial was also very active in the Bay Area participating in several team fundraising events annually in addition to forming his own foundation whose mission was to support underprivileged kids.
A 2020 inductee into EMCC's Sports Hall of Fame, Dial currently spends much of his time as an avid outdoorsman with frequent hunting and fishing trips. Presently residing in the Bay Area of California, Dial and his wife, Mika, are the proud parents of four children – Tatum, Jayden, Ava, and Julian.
This year marks the 20th class of the Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame. Dial joins previously elected East Mississippi Community College inductees: James "Cubby" Harris (2025); Nick Clark (2024); Betty Carol Spears Boyette (2023); Max Johnson (2022); Antowain Smith (2021); Malcolm "Mack" Robinson (2020); Richard Mathis (2019); Jack Mason Carlisle (2018); Langston Rogers (2017); Dr. Tommy Davis (2016); Tom Goode (2015); Dr. Randall Bradberry (2014); Retha Hand Henderson (2013); Johnny Fisher (2012); Joe Rowell (2011); Tom Scarborough (2010); Elbert "Lum" Wright (2009); Ken Waddell Sr. (2008); Don Edwards (2008); Clyde "Baby Doll" Pierce (2007); Bill Buckner (2007); and Bob "Bull" Sullivan (2007).
Other newly elected members honored during Tuesday's Mississippi Community and Junior College Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies included: Debra Williams Horton (Coahoma CC); Bob Huckaby (Copiah-Lincoln CC); Lucy Young (East Central CC); Gene Murphy & Dot E. Murphy (Hinds CC); Stephen Waggener (Holmes CC); Duce Staley (Itawamba CC); Josh Heird (Jones College); Michele Smith (Meridian CC); James "Jim" Southward (Mississippi Delta CC); Frankie Beckman (Mississippi Gulf Coast CC); Robert Henry (Northeast Mississippi CC); Detric Golden (Northwest Mississippi CC); Rhyne Hughes (Pearl River CC); and Walter Scott Varnado III (Southwest Mississippi CC).