Listed below are the inductees into the Northwestern State University Graduate "N" Club Hall of Fame.  These Hall of Fame members, during their tenure at Normal College, Northwestern State College, and Northwestern State University excelled in their individual sports or professions. We salute these Hall of Fame Inductees!

Check out the new write ups for the Hall of Fame Members that that have been added since 2-06-2007 and more to come!

"More Pictures to Come, If you have a good picture email it to me at gilson@nsula.edu or mail it to me at  NSU "N" Club, P. O. Box 5241 NSU, Natchitoches, LA 71497"

Class of 1968 Inductees

H. Lee Prather - Coach Basketball/Football  

Harry "Rags" Turpin - Coach Football/Track

Murphy Rogers - Football/Baseball/Basketball

A. A. Bernard - Baseball

Dr. C. C. Stroud - Coach Baseball

Bill Dunkelman - Football

Class of 1969 Inductees

Clayton Cornish - Football

John Fournet - Football

Erskine Cook - Football/Track

A. L. Stewart - Football/Track

Class of 1970 Inductees

E. H. Gilson - Football/Track

Walter Ledet - Football/Track & Coach

Walter Ledet- Walter was an an All-American Guard in 1938 which was Northwestern’s first All American. He was a freshman coach of Northwestern’s first undefeated football team in 1939.  Ledet was a second round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles. He spurned a pro football career to go into coaching and became the state’s most successful track and field coach at Northwestern for 1952-1964. During his 13 years as a coach, he led his teams to five straight Gulf States Conference Championships for 1953-1957. Ledet was named GSC “Coach of the Year” an unprecedented five straight years. His teams also had three second place finishes and two thirds. He also coach football as an assistant from 1935-1965 on the NSU staff, helping the Demons win or share five conference titles.

Charles F. Thomas - Football/Track & Basketball Coach

Woodrow Turner - Football

Class of 1971 Inductee

  Alvin "Cracker" Brown - Coach Baseball/Football

William J. Dodd - Baseball

Parker Wiggins - Football/Track

Class of 1972 Inductees

  Bob Tatum - Football

C. L. Starnes - Football/Basketball/Track

C. O. Holland - Football

Johnny McConathy - Basketball/Track

Johnny played  at Northwestern from 1948 -1952 in both basketball and track. He had a total of 67 games, cored 1092 points for an average of 16.3 per game. He is the 14th member of the 1,000 point club at NSU. During the 1950-51 season he scored 35 pints against both Centenary and Southern Mississippi. In 1051 he led the team in scoring with 562 points, an average of 21.6 per games. The 562 pints set a single season record that lasted for eight years. Johnny was named to the All American teams after the 1952 season and became the third Demon basketball player to earn such honors.  He was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers and played in the NBA although his career was interrupted to return home to national guard meeting during the war period. Tynes Hildebrand said: "His pro career was interrupted because of always returning home for National Guard meetings, you could not miss the meetings at that time or you would be drafted. Johnny was one of  the first big dunkers in the area to play college basketball. At that time not may people were that big or could jump that well and Johnny was always doing it in practice and in the games."

Class of 1973 Inductees

Jack Clayton - Coach Football

Johnnie Emmons - Football/Baseball/Track

 Murrell "Doak" Walker - Track

Murrel  "Doak" Walker entered Northwestern in 1952 on a basketball and track athletic scholarship, he lettered all four years in both basketball and track. The NSU basketball team was in the play off each years and the track team was undefeated for four year while Murrel was a member. He ran the 440 and 880, along with the mile relay, in which he make the all conference team for three years. After graduation he entered the coaching and teaching field and was elected to the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame as a result of his coaching accomplishments

Charlie Hennigan - Football/Track

Charlie Hennigan, from Louisiana’s Northwestern State University, joined the Houston Oilers in their first year, 1960, after having worked as a schoolteacher.  He scored the first touchdown in Oilers history, but played in only 11 games. After a promising rookie season, in 1961 he started all 14 games and established himself as a superstar in the American Football League by gaining 1,746 yards receiving, a record that stood for 34 years. One of quarterback George Blanda’s main targets, Hennigan was the first professional football player to catch more than a hundred passes in a single season (101 in 1964) and to twice gain over 1,500 yards in pass receiving (1961 and 1964).
           He holds the all-time records for most games (3) in a season with over 200 yards receiving, and most games (11) in a season with over 100 yards receiving.  Hennigan had the All-time AFL single game record of 272 yards receiving, against the Boston Patriots on October 16, 1961. He was an American Football League All-Star five straight years, 1961 through 1965, and is a member of the All-Time All-AFL second team.  He went on to a successful career with a Doctorate in Education, and as a motivational guru with his Hennigan Institute.

Click here for more information on Charlie Hennigan http://www.mindenmemories.org/Charlie%20Hennigan.htm

Class of 1974 Inductee

  Dick Brown - Basketball/Baseball

     Dudley Downing - Football.

Charlie "Tank" Tolar - Football/Track

 Tolar, whose 5-foot-6, 220-pound frame made him a standout figure in the old American Football League, was voted by fans to one of two running back slots on the Oilers' 30th Anniversary Dream Team. Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell was the other running back elected. The team was comprised of 25 stars from Houston's first three decades of pro football. Tolar was inducted in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka, in a 1993 interview with broadcaster Bob Costas, said his hard-charging, physical style of play traced back to his days as a boy watching Tolar run the ball on television for the Oilers. Tolar carried several nicknames, including "Tank" and "The Human Bowling Ball," throughout his playing days. With Houston, he played with such stars as Pro Football Hall of Fame member George Blanda, All-Pro receiver and fellow Northwestern State alum Charlie Hennigan, and former LSU Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon. In the offseason, he developed a friendship with internationally-known oil well firefighter Red Adair, who hired Tolar in 1962 to work alongside him around the world. Tolar was named to AFL All-Star teams in 1961-1963 and was described in the 1965 Oilers' media guide as "the solid favorite of Houston pro football fandom and one of the AFL's most colorful and exciting performers ... the bearer of more nicknames than any half-dozen players in the league." He helped Houston win AFL titles in 1960 and 1961 with a runner-up finish in 1962, when his teammates voted him "Most Valuable Offensive Player" after he was one of only three AFL runners to gain over 1,000 yards (1,012 on an AFL record 244 carries). Tolar retired as the AFL's No. 10 all-time rusher with 3,288 yards and he had 1,266 yards on 175 pass receptions, while being noted as a devastating blocker for the league's most prolific offense. Tolar won back-to-back All-State honors at Natchitoches High School and ran for a state-record 1,897 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior season. After signing with LSU, he transferred to Northwestern in his hometown and was twice the Gulf Star Conference "Most Valuable Player" for the Demons. At Northwestern, he set scoring records for single-season points (79), career rushing touchdowns (29) and career rushing yards per game (75.7) that stood for more than 40 years. He still ranks fourth all-time at NSU in career scoring (182 points) and eighth in career rushing yards (2,194) while leading the GSC in scoring and rushing three years in a row. He led the Demons to GSC football championships in 1957 and 1958, and was part of the Demons' 1956 and 1957 GSC track and field championship teams. Despite his fireplug build, Tolar ran the 100-yard dash in under 10 seconds, long jumped over 23 feet and could jump high enough to dunk a basketball. "He was a 5-foot-6 ballet dancer, the only guy I know who could run six inches off the ground and run a 9.5 100-yard dash," said Hennigan. He was picked in the 1959 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and was the last player cut by coach Buddy Parker. He and Hennigan were among those who succeed in making the Oilers' roster after attending tryout camps before the AFL's inaugural season in 1960. "He was the heart of the whole dadgum team," said Oilers' offensive guard Hogan Wharton in a 1991 interview. "He had amazing strength and plenty of moves. He'd carry people six or seven yards." Tolar was a December 1954 graduate of Natchitoches High and a May 1959 graduate of Northwestern State. He is a member of the NSU Graduate N Club Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Class of 1976 Inductee

  James "Red" McNew - Football/Track

LeRoy Miller - Basketball

Billy Roy Cook - Baseball

Jim Willis - Basketball/Baseball

Don Guidry - Football

Jimmy "Red" Leach - Basketball

Jimmy Leach was a four year standout at Northwestern from 1955-59, during his senior year he became one of the most feared shooters and scorers in state basket ball history. A long time friend Tynes Hildebrand offered a profound statement in describing Jimmy, Tynes was quoted as saying “Jimmy let his basketball playing do all the talking for him.” He also said, ‘Jimmy probably graduated one year too early,  he was just getting to the point of doing things that nobody else was doing. He could have been one of the greatest that ever played the game with the outside shooting ability he had.” Leach ended his career with a total of 1, 736 points for a 15.9 career average and set three school records during his career. He averaged over 25 points per game in his senior season. Against Southwestern State he had 54 points to set an NSU record for most pints in a game. He hit 20 of  23 free throw. During his four years at Northwestern, his teams compiled an overall record of 70-30. Jimmy went on to a outstanding coaching career, in 1985 Jimmy Leach was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, a well deserved honor for a wonderful coach and person.

Class of 1977 Inductee

John D. Bell - Football/Tennis

Major Sims - Football/Track

Billy Baucum - Football/Basketball/Track

V. M. Roberts - Football

Class of 1978 Inductee

Paul "Doc" Marks - Trainer

Class of 1980 Inductee

Jackie Smith - Football/Track

Jackie Smith, a 6-4, 235-pound tight end, was a fixture for 15 years with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963 to 1977. He finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys in 1978. At the time of his retirement, he ranked as the all-time receiver among tight ends with 480 receptions for 7,918 yards and 40 touchdowns. An outstanding football and track competitor at Northwestern State of Louisiana, Smith was the Cardinals' 10th-round draft pick in 1963. Smith was a talented receiver, a punishing blocker, a fierce competitor and an excellent runner after he caught the ball. He even handled the Cardinals' punting chores his first three seasons. Smith became the Cardinals' starting tight end during his 1963 rookie season and remained a fixture at that spot the rest of his tenure in St. Louis. He gave notice of things to come when he gained 212 yards on nine receptions against Pittsburgh that year. The team's offensive co-captain, Smith had one string of 45 straight games from 1967 to 1970, with at least one reception. He played in 121 straight games starting with his first NFL contest and continuing until a knee injury sidelined him in his ninth season in 1971.Injuries slowed him again in 1975 and 1976 but Smith still played in 198 games. Smith played in five straight Pro Bowls from 1967 through 1971, and was named All-NFL in 1967 and 1969. He had his single season best performance in 1967 when he recorded 56 receptions for 1,205 yards and nine touchdowns. During his career, he caught more than 40 passes seven different years. His 16.5-yard average per reception is a reflection of both his excellent speed and determined running style.

R. S. Killen - Football/Track

Al Dodd - Football/Track

Jodie Stoutamire - Basketball/Track

R. J. Stoker - Football/Basketball

Ocie Richie - Basketball/Track

Class of 1981 Inductee

 Eugene "Smiley" Christmas - Trainer

Jerry Burton - Football/Track

Jerry Burton played fours years of football from 1960-63, earning a varsity letter each year. Burton played running back on offense and defensive back on defense. He was All Conference in the Gulf South Conference for three years and as a senior was named to the NAIA All American team as a defensive safety. During his final three year Burton was voted as the Best Defensive Back at NSU as as a senior he was also voted the Best Offensive Back and shared team MVP with Sammy Joe Odom. Burton also led the team in rushing his senior year. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and later went into coaching at Byrd High School as head coach and athletic director.  

Roland Migues - Football

Roland Migues was a standout football player for the Demons from 1937-40. He scored a least one touchdown in the State Fair Classic each of his four years at Normal. In 1938 he scored the only Demon touchdown in a 7-6 win over LA Tech. He earned All American honorable mention as a sophomore when he averaged 7.6 yards per carry for the season. Migues was versatile player who also once had a 71 yard punt return against Mississippi Southern.

Sammy Joe Odom - Football

Sammy Joe Odom was a standout football player who earned all conference and All American recognition in 1962, along with being NSU’s Most Valuable Defensive Lineman. Odom earned All American status again in the following year and was team captain, Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, and shred the MVP award for the season with Jerry Burton. In 1963 Odom was the team captain and was named Player of the Week at Northwestern in six games.  Odom played two years of professional football with the Houston Oilers.

J. A. Rockhold - Football/Basketball/Tennis

J.A. Rochold was an all around athlete at Northwestern from 1929-32. He participated in football, baseball, track and tennis. Rochold starred as a linebacker and fullback and once caught 14 passes in one game. As a tennis player his senior year he played double with Carl Maddox, the former athletic director at Mississippi State. His career batting average was .342 and he ran both the mile and two mile in track.

Tommy Stewart - Baseball

Tommy Stewart played both basketball and baseball at Northwestern after coming to Natchitoches on a double scholarship. In baseball he pitched and played first base for Coach Cracker Brown, earning all conference honors during his junior year. In basketball he was a starter and steady player for Coach Huey Cranford. He was also an outstanding student, being listed in Who’s Who and serving as president of the Blue Key organization. Stewart was killed in an automobile collision prior to his senior year.

James Wyatt - Basketball

James Wyatt  was one of the most outstanding player to ever wear the purple and white for the Demons, played from 1965-69. He was the leading all time rebounder at the time of his induction with 1,539 rebounds in his career and he ranked second on the all time scoring list with 1,874 points. Wyatt grabbed 30 rebounds in a single game three times during his career, the only Demon player ever to get that many rebounds in a single contest. Wyatt lead the team in rebounding all four years during his career and led the team scoring for two years.

Class of 1982 Inductees

  George McConathy - Basketball/Track

George McConathy played basketball from 1952-1956 at Northwestern State College.  At the time of his induction, McConathy was ranked seventh on the NSU all time scoring list, having scored 1, 436 points in 116 games. McConathy was also a top rebounder as he had 715 rebound in his career, this was also seventh best on the Demon all time list.  McConathy played on some of the best Demon teams ever. During his career, Northwestern posted a record of 82-39, winning 20 games in two of those seasons and never lost more than 10 games in a single season.  McConathy had his best scoring game during the 1954-55 season, when he scored 32 points in a victory over rival Southwestern Louisiana.  

Bernard Waggoner - Basketball

Bernard Waggoner played on the Northwestern State basketball teams from 1944 through 1949, and was one of the top scorers on the team each season. As a freshman, Waggoner led the team in scoring and was a second team all conference selection. Waggoner was named to the all conference team in each of the following three years. He was second on the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior and led the team as a senior while he was second in the league in scoring. Waggoner was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in 1949. Waggoner coached at Logansport for 16 years after leaving Northwestern, compling a record of 416 wins and 192 defeats. During his coaching career his team won eight district championships. Logansport played in the state semi-finals three times under Waggoner and in 1961 Waggoner was name as state coach of the year in Class B by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Waggoner is the father of former all conference performer, Wayne Waggoner, who after two years at NSU was selected in the NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks

Dick Redding - Football/Track

Dick Redding was an outstanding Demon football player during his career at Northwestern. Redding was the team co captain in 1966, he earned Most Valuable player in 1965 and 1966 and was an all conference end those same years. He was the Most Valuable Lineman in the league 1966. Redding held the NSU record for receiving in a single game with 187 yards at the time of his induction. He also ranks as one of the top all time list for passes caught, total yardage, and touchdown catches Redding ranks as one of the top single season receivers with 32 catches in a single game. He was the first Demon player to be selected to a post-season all-star contest and played in and scored a touchdown in the Senior Bowl.  Redding also earned four letters in track, he held the conference shot put record, winning the title in both 1965 and 1966.

Johnny "Red" Robertson - Football

Johnny “Red” Robertson was a standout football player for Northwestern and later was an outstanding prep coach in the state. Robertson was a four year letterman in football, playing guard his freshman season and end during the final three years of his career. Robertson served a co-captain on the Demon football team and was active in campus activities at Northwestern . He was the president of the “N” Club, was listed in the Senior Hall of Fame, was a Councilman-at-large on the Student Council and was member of the Inter-Fraternity Council. Following his playing career Robertson coached at Haughton for one year, after his coaching career at Haughton he moved to Ferriday High School. In seven years, he put together a record of 81-7-2 and his Ferriday teams still hold a state record 54 game winning streak. Robertson coach his prep teams at Ferriday to five consecutive district titles and won four straight state championships.

 Monte Ledbetter - Football/Track

Monte Ledbetter came to Northwestern in 1962 on a track scholarship after setting several prep records at Roanoke High School. Ledbetter set NSU freshman records in four events and school record in the 100-yard dash, broad jump and triple jump.  He set the conference record in the broad jump in 1964 and improved his record the following year. Ledbetter first played football in 1965, after his college career ended in 1966 he was drafted in the NFL and played for the Houston Oilers. He scored a touchdown in the first Texas championship game against Dallas and later played worth Buffalo, once catching a 63 yard  touchdown pass from Jack Kemp that was the longest touchdown pass ever for the Bills. In 1968 Ledbetter was twice name as the Buffalo Offensive Player of the Week for his play against Houston and Kansas City. He finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons under Coach Norm VanBrocklin. All of these amazing achievements in football came after Monte played no high school football.

Class of 1983 Inductees

A. K. "Buddy" Lancaster - Football

Arthur "Buddy" Lancaster - In 1949, had 770 yards rushing and 88 yards passing. Averaged 9.9 yards per carry that season and had 164 yards on just three carries in the game against Southern Mississippi. In 1948, returned a pass interception 73 yards against Southern Mississippi. Was honorable mention Little All-American and All-Gulf States Conference. Led the conference in total offense and set the NSU records for yards per carry for a game and for a season.

Richard Loyd - Gymnast

Richard Lloyd was the first person inducted into the NAIA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and competed on the United States gymnastics teams in the Pan American and Olympic Games. He was also the first Northwestern gymnastics All American.  At NSU he won the all around competition national championship twice. Richard represented the United States on the 1967 Pan American team and the 1968 United States Olympic team. Lloyd was a three time NAIA All American for Northwestern and competed in three NAIA National Championships in 67-69. He won national titles in five different events during those three years, including the all around title in 1967. He also won national titles in the floor exercise twice, the still rings once, the pommel horse once and vaulting once. He was considered the first NAIA gymnast to bring an international level of competition to the NAIA National Championships.

Dale Hoffpauir -Football/Track

Dale was a four year letterman in both football and track at Northwestern. He was the starting quarterback of the Demons from the fourth game of the 56 season and throughout the remainder of his career. The 58 team held many of the offensive records and Dale lead the conference in offensive statistics, establishing may conference and school passing records. He still ranks in the top tier in his season and career completion percentage. Dale was also the starting safety on the Demons defensive units in 56-59. The 57 defensive team still ranks in the top tier in pass defense.  He as was All Conference in 58 and 59 and was elected team co-captain in 59. During his tenure he was awarded Most Valuable Play, Scholastic Award and Outstanding Back Award. While on the Northwestern track team, he set both conference and school records in the javelin throw. He was ranked as one of the top javelin throwers in the state year year, winning the conference championship in 1958. Dale was co captain of the track team in 1959.

Bobby Hrapmann - Baseball

Bobby Hrapmann was one of the greatest baseball players to ever wear the Northwestern State Purple and White 1971-1974. He was an All State performer in both baseball and football at Holy Cross High School in New Orleans. Quarterbacked them to a State Championship in baseball his senior year.  At Northwestern, he was a four year letterman at shortstop, and held several career and season records for hitting and runs scored. He holds the career record for most games 151, most at bats 495, most runs scored 109, and most hits 140. He was the 13^th player picked in the second round of  the major league draft in 1975 and made the All Star teams in the Texas League the following year.

Tandy Jackson - Basketball/Track

While at Northwestern, his freshman year, Tandy coached the freshmen team in basketball and they were undefeated. In the following three years of Varsity Basketball, he was the leading scorer for the Demons. He served a Captain of the team both is junior and senior year. He was selected for the All Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association of Bowling Green,  Kentucky. This honor was extended to college athletes from Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, and Alabama. Tandy received this honor his Junior and Senior year, an accomplishment no other Northwestern athlete ever achieved. Tandy also was a member of the track team. He ran on the relay teams, won the shot and discus competition at Louisiana Normal in 35-36.

    Charles Johnson - Football/Track

Billy Jack Booth - Football/Baseball

Billy Jack Booth played both football and baseball at Northwestern, lettering four times in each sport. As a freshman in 1956 Booth was a second team all conference end. In the following year he was a first team selection on the all conference team and name as a Little All American. In 1957 he was again all conference and caught the winning touchdown pass to defeat Louisiana Tech 18-14 in the State Fair Classic. As a senior Billy Jack won the conference receiving title and ended his career with 65 catches for 1,305 yards and 11 touchdowns. In baseball, Booth played shortstop for four years. He was named to the second all league team as a freshman and then the first unit the following three years.

Class of 1984 Inductees

C. E. Barham - Football

Theophile Scott- Football/Baseball

Theophile Scott played both basketball and football for Northwestern, serving as a captain on the 1942 grid team that won the league championship. Scott earned all conference honors in the L.I.C as a tailback in 1941.  In his first college game, Scott returned a punt 47 yards and carried the ball five times while scoring three touchdowns. As a Demon punter, Scott’s 72 yard effort was a Demon record for 38 years. After a tour in the Marine Corp he served the students of Louisiana as a coach.  An interesting side note on Theophile  played five years of high school football, four years of college football and never dropped a punt during those 9 years. In 2006, Scott published a book, “Beat Tech,” recalling his days at the Normal School (later Northwestern State). His work focuses on the State Fair Classics that featured Normal School and Louisiana Tech battling for bragging rights each fall.

Richard Ware - Football

Richard was voted as Mr. NSU in 1970-71 and served as president of the "N" Club.  He lettered in both football and tennis during his Northwestern career. He was voted as team MVP in 1970 and Most Valuable Offensive Back in 1969 and 1970. Richard won the Demon Award in 1969 and was permanent team captain in 1970. He was also honored with the Scholastic Award and Centennial Award in 1969-1970. Richard was named to the All gulf States Conference team in 1970 and the Most Valuable Back in the league that same season while earning All American honorable mention. During Richard's football career he set records for most yards gained in a single season and single game, most carries in a game, season and career, most touchdowns in a game and most points scored in a game.  Richard is listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Outstanding College Athletes of America and Outstanding Young men of America. After college Richard went on to an outstanding law career and served as a judge in Red River Parish until his death. Trivia Question: Do you remember Richard's Nickname?

Pat Pierson -Women's Basketball Coach

Pat Nolen Pierson was one of the first females to receive an athletic scholarship to Northwestern State, and was the first female member of the Graduate “N” Club Hall of Fame. The Pitkin native earned four letters during her college basketball career, earning all state honors for her efforts. Pierson currently rank 14^th on the all time Lady Demon scoring list and 14^th in field goal percentage for her career.  She had a single game high of 10 assists in her career and in 1975 she was named to the all tournament team at both the LSU Tournament and the NSU Tournament.  Pierson was a team captain for the 76-77 season and for four years was the Academic Award Winner. Following her graduation she returned to coach at Pitkin High for one year, leading her team to a 31-11 mark and into the Sweet Sixteen tournament. Pierson served as the NSU Lady Demon coach for six years and as the coordinator for women’s athletics.  Pierson compiled a record 102-67 at Northwestern and posted five straight winning seasons. Pierson was named a Louisiana Women’s Coach of the Year in 1981-82 and her 1980-81 team set a record for wins in a season while posting a 22-8 overall record.

Don Beasley - Football

Prior to Don entering Northwestern he earned All American Football, All State Football and All State Basketball at Natchitoches High School. As a high school quarterback he was17-4-1, completed 66% of his passes, scored 35 touchdowns and threw for 2800 yards. Don signed with Northwestern State in 1961, he letter as quarterback for four years.  Don received 1st Team All Gulf State Conference Quarterback, as a Junior and Senior.  He lead the Northwestern Demons to a Gulf States Conference Championship and served a team captain. During his senior year he received the Academic Excellence Award, Permanent Team Captain and Most Valuable Player. After college Don enter the coaching field in basketball  and coached at Northwestern,  Middle Tennessee State,  Jacksonville University, Stetson University, Mississippi State University, and The University of Georgia.

Douglas Logan - Baseball

Doug began his baseball career at Northwestern in 1952, he played two full seasons in 52 and 53, and part of 1956 when he returned for the service. Don played 162 innings, he had 44 runs on 103 at bat, he had an ERA of 2.45.  He had a total of 15 wins and 6 losses. Don GSC record of 10 wins and 3 losses during the 52 season. During the conference in 1952 he pitched and won 3 conference games in 9 days. All of them were complete games.  These games were the first conference game to ever be started by a freshman at NSC.  For 13 years 52-65 he held the GSC record for the longest game pitched by a freshman (15 innings), it was a 3 to 1 win against Southwestern LA. During his pitching tenure he completed 15 out of 21 starts at Northwestern.

Frank Trammel - Track

Frank began his outstanding track career by earning all-state and All-South honors as a high school athlete in New Orleans. At  Northwestern he won 30 NAIA District cross country titles from 1972-1976 and twice earned all conference honors in track  and twice in cross country. In 1974 eh earned All-American honors in cross country and in 1975 earned All American honors in both indoor and outdoor track, running the two mile indoors and the six mile event outdoors. In 1976 he earned NAIA and NCAA All American status in the 10,000 meter run. At the time of his induction the held the state record (29:10.09) in the 10,000 meters and was Louisiana's first cross country All American.  After graduation from NSU he won such events as the Baton Rouge marathon, the Florida Relays marathon, the Louisiana 25 kilometers state championships and other races. Frank ran in the 1980 Olympic marathon and also place sixth in the National AAU marathon champions held in Houston.

Butler Miears - Football

Butler Miears attended Louisiana Normal beginning in 1940 he played freshman tackle and was the first sophomore to start on the first team. In that year Butler’s dad died and he had to go home to help support his two younger brothers.  He returned to Northwestern in 1945 and was captain of the football team. In 1946 he was a runner up for Little All American. While Butler was playing at Normal they played the University of Arkansas and lost by only seven points 21 to 14. Butler had several opportunities to play professional football but he broke his leg in an automobile accident and ended his career. Also while at Normal Butler threw the shot put and participated in many other sports events.  He went on to coach and serve as a high school principal at Cotton Valley.

Class of 1985 Inductees

Joe Delaney - Football/Track

10/28/2003 25 years ago today, Delaney shattered NSU, state and I-AA records with a 4-TD, 299-yard rushing explosion against Nicholls State

Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of one of the great performances in state college football history. Against Nicholls on Oct. 28, 1978 at Turpin Stadium, Demon sophomore tailback Joe Delaney erupted for 299 yards rushing and 4 TDs on 28 carries. He set what were school, state and NCAA Division I-AA single-game records for rushing yards. His school records for rushing yards and touchdowns in a game still stand today. me enshrinee only had 36 yards rushing on 9 carries at halftime of a scoreless game. On the Demons’ first play of the second half, Delaney raced 87 yards for a TD, on what was the second-longest TD run in school history at the time. After Nicholls scored a pair of touchdowns, he made it 14-12 Demons on a 1-yarder, going to the fourth quarter with 148 yards. Early in the final period, he ripped loose for a 71-yard TD to break the Demons’ single-game rushing record and make it 21-12. Less than two minutes later, he dashed 25 yards for the fourth TD. Late in the game an 11-yard run broke the old state rushing record. By the time the game ended, Delaney and backfield mate Brett Knecht had combined to break eight NCAA I-AA records.Delaney's 263 yards rushing in the second half on 19 carries, and 151 in the fourth quarter on 11 carries set I-AA marks Knecht added a career-best 146 yards to give the tanden a total of 445, a I-AA record. At the time, Delaney’s 4 TDs and 24 points and four rushing TDs were I-AA records (the division was just a year old). His 379 all-purpose yards (299 rushing, 4 receiving, 76 on kickoff returns) was another I-AA mark and remains a school record today. Delaney’s legacy is much larger than football. His heroic death in 1983, drowing while trying to save three children from the same fate (one survived), made the man a legend. The 20th anniversary of his passing this past June brought a round of stories, including features by Rick Reilly in Sports Illustrated and on ESPN SportsCenter. There’s the 37Forever Foundation, started by Delaney admirers who are Kansas City Chiefs fans, and benefitting inner-city youth by providing free swimming lessons and scholarships (www.37Forever.org). In fact, among the innumerable tributes -- including a permanent shrine to him under the west stands at Turpin Stadium -- we’ve stumbled across perhaps the most obscure. There’s a collection of small, private prep schools -- mostly in Northern Virginia -- that are part of the Delaney AthleticConference(www.eteamz.com/delaneyathleticconference/ ) named after Joe Delaney. Just because he was the kind of person, and athlete, young people ought to admire. Heroism On June 29, 1983, Delaney was at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana, when he heard the cries of three young boys drowning in a pond. Delaney could not swim but jumped in anyway in an attempt to save them. One of the boys, a 6-year old, was able to make it out of the pond due to Joe's heroism. The other two boys, 11-year old Lancer Perkins and 11-year old Harry Holland, Jr., died with Delaney. After his death, Delaney was honored in 1984 with the NCAA Award of Valor. Delaney was married to his wife Carolyn and had 3 daughters, ages 7, 5 and 4 months old when he died. Also he now has a grandaughter named Shaqavia Delaney;she now lives in Haughton, Louisiana. The pond turned out to be an area where construction workers kept dirt for a waterslide at the city park that had filled with rain water. It covered two acres. In July of 1983, President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Joe the Presidential Citizen’s Medal. Joe posthumously received the NCAA Award of Valor in 1984, and in 2004 Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt retired his number 37 in the Chiefs “Ring of Honor” that surrounds the inside of Arrowhead Stadium. He was inducted in to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ricardo Acuna - Tennis

Recardo earned NCAA Divison I All American honors his senior season to cap an outstanding college tennis career and was active on the professional tennis circuit. Ricardo compiled a record of 97 wins and just 18 losses in four years of singles competition at Northwestern, reaching round 16 in the NCAA championships in his final season. NSU tennis team compiled a record of 76 wins and just 12 losses in dual meets during his career. While still attending college he won an American Express summer tournament and qualified for  the main draw of the U.S. Open championships . He holds the school record of 19 straight wins in singles competition and also teamed with Gregg Manning to set the record of 27 doubles wins in a single season.  He was named as overall NSU Athlete of the Year during his junior and senior seasons. After graduation he ranked as high as No. 62 in the world, reaching the third round of play at both the U.S. Open and the Wimbleton championships and competed for his native country of Chile in the Davis Cup matches. 

Glen Talbert - Football

Glen was a Demon football player for 1960 -63, he earned All GSC Football 3rd Team as a sophomore and won the coaches award for  1961. He was All GSC Football 1st Team as a Junior on the Sportwirters and Coaches Team. In 1962 he was named the Most Valuable Offensive back, that same year NSC won the Conference Championship out right. Glenn lead the team in average per carry every years that he played.  In 1963 Glenn was All GSC Sportwriters and Coaches 1st Team and signed a professional contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.   During his tenure at Northwestern Glenn was part of the track team as a sprinter, relay member, and long jumper. He lettered four years in track.

  Bill Collingsworth - Basketball/Track

Bill Collingsworth won a total of seven varsity letters in basketball and track during his career a Northwestern State in the mid -50’s. An All-Gulf States guard for coach “Red” Thomas in 1952, 1953 and 1954 as NSU captured the conference team title each of those three years. He was named conference MVP following his senior season, averaging 22 points per game.  Bill long jumped 22 feet, 10 inches for the track team as he earn three letters in that sport. After graduation Bill coached basketball in Florien, Simsboro and Bossier High Schools.

 Bobby Johnson - Football/Baseball

Bobby Johnson played football for Northwestern State College beginning in 1947. Bobby was named to the second team All Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference in 1947. After the 1948 season he was again named to the second team of the All Gulf States States Conference. During the 48 season he held the punt return record with 18 returns for 333 yards. Bobby was a three year letterman in varsity football and baseball. During his career at NSC he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma and later became a member of the Shreveport Sports Baseball Organization 1949-1951.  He earned numerous All Tournament and Most Valuable Player awards in Fast Pitch Softball 1952-1978. During the 1957, 1959, and 1960 Softball season he was a participant in the Softball World Series. Bobby professional career was with Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation in Houston Texas for 32 years.

Tynes Hildebrand - Basketball/Coach/AD

Tynes Hildebrand earned four basketball letters and four track letters during his career at Northwestern. After his basketball and track career at Northwestern he began his coaching career at Natchitoches High School before becoming the head basketball coach at Northwestern. Tynes remained as head basketball coach until 1980. During that time, Hildebrand was named Gulf State Conference Coach of the Year twice, in 1966 and 1975. His Demon team in 1974 posted a 21-9 record that included the NAIA district title and earned an appearance in the national tournament. In 1981 he was selected a Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball. Hildebrand is one of the winningest coaches in the 70 year history of NSU Basketball and fell nine wins short of the 200 win plateau. Hildebrand became Athletic Director in 1981 and led NSU into prominence within the Gulf Star Conference and led the Demon athletic program to the first ever all sports trophy following the 1984 sports year.  Under his leadership all of the athletic program flourished at Northwestern.

Class of 1986 Inductees

John Elkins - Football/Basketball/Track

John Elkins won a total of nine letters in three different sports from 1936-1938. One of the better guards to play under Lee Prather, Elkins lead the basketball team to a three year record of 47-15, earning All South International Athletic Association honors  following his senior season after averaging over six points per game. Prior to entering Northwestern.  John was a all-state guard a Harris High School in Claiborne Parish, his high school team won the 1935 Louisiana state basket ball championship. During his career at Northwestern he played both offense and defense.  John was also on the track team and threw the javelin.

 Jerry Fowler - Football

Jerry Fowler was a natural athlete who lettered in basketball, football, baseball and track as a prep at Coushatta High School, Fowler was chosen as All Gulf State Conference guard at NSU in the late 50’s, early 60’s, when he played for Jack Clayton.  Jerry was drafted after his college career by the Oakland Raiders and also saw playing time with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. Jerry coached at NSU and earned a masters degree in education and administration and served in state government.

Greg Manning - Tennis

Gregg Manning lettered for fours years from 1975 -1978 in tennis for Northwestern State. In 1975 Gregg went 30-6 from the #3 singles position, becoming the first player in NSU Tennis history to go undefeated in dual match play. The spring of 1975, he also played in 35 doubles matches for a total of 71 matches, a Northwestern record. He earned All Gulf South Conference choice after winning the loop’s #3 singles title. He was voted MVP by his teammates following the 1976 season. Gregg became Northwestern’s first All –American following his freshman year after advancing to the quarterfinal round of the NAIA National Intercollegiate Tennis championships.  Manning received recognition in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and America’s Outstanding Names and Faces. After graduation Gregg worked as a tennis pro in Texas.

Larry Skinner - Basketball

Larry Skinner, started for three years on the Northwestern basketball team in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Larry earned four letters in basketball while at Northwestern. He was the second leading scorer in the Gulf South Conference as a sophomore and was a member of the All Conference team in 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons. In 1959 he was named to the All Gulf South Classic team of Shreveport and in 1960 he was named as state of Louisiana’s 5^th top athlete by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association. During Larry’s last three years he averaged in double figures.  Northwestern’s composite record during Larry career was 79-32.

   Sidney Thornton - Football

Sidney Thornton was a dominant Demon running back whose name still dots the record books. Sidney tied school marks for most pints in a game with 24 and holds the season record for most rushing touchdowns with 12 in 1976. At the time of Sidney’s induction he was third on the all time list for points scored in a season 72 in 1976, fourth in most points scored with 158, second in career rushing attempts with 573, second in net yards rushing with 2,662, and fifth highest season rushing total with 945 yards in 1976. He was honored by his teammates as MVP following both his junior and senior seasons.  In 1976 Sidney was chosen as the MVP in the Blue-Gray game. He was an independent  All- American, All-Louisiana choice and a four year starter at NSU. Sidney was a second round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers and was team captain. He played on two Super Bowl Championships teams with Pittsburgh as the Steelers captured consecutive titles in 1978 and 1979. Sidney played a total of seven years of professional football.

Jack Fisher - Tennis

Jack Fisher was the first great tennis player at Northwestern, competing back when the school was known as Louisiana State Normal. He was a member of the varsity tennis team 1938-40. He was a dominant player in Louisiana in 1940, capturing the #1 Doubles Championship in the Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference and the #2 Singles Championship.  In the same year he won SIAA #1 Doubles Championship and #2 Single Championship. Jack was a volunteer coach in 1957 and 1958. He was a very successful businessman in Natchitoches with his Fisher’s Sporting Goods Store. In 1966 he was the #2 seed nationally in the U.S. Open-Badminton Veteran’s Division.  The current tennis court complex is named in honor of Jack Fisher.

Class of 1987 Inductees

Pete Beck - Football

Pete Beck played fullback on the NSU Demon football teams from 1948 -1950. Beck was named All-Gulf States Conference as a fullback and linebacker during his tenure at Northwestern. Pete entered the United States Air Force and from 1950-54 he played for the Air Force team at Naoya, Japan. His team won the Far East Championship and he was awarded All Far East honors. Pet played his high school football for John Oliphant at Minden High School where he was all state in basketball and football. Oliphant called him "the most outstanding gridder I ever developed...a colorful all around star football star who could do almost anything on the gridiron."

David Clark - Basketball

David Clark was an outstanding basketball player at Northwestern State in the mid 1960's. Clark was one of the finest basketball players to ever wear the purple and white. A three time member of the All-Gulf States Conference basketball team. At the time of his induction he was ranked fifth on the all time scoring chart. Clark lead NSU in scoring during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. Ending his career with 1,538 points and scoring an average of just over 16 points per game.  His career free throw percentage of 83.3 is third on the all-time career list for Northwestern. Clark served as a graduate assistant at Northwestern and coached at Campti High School fro 1972-84, earning Coach of the Year in the district on four occasions and taking the Campot Gators to the state playoffs seven times. His prep coaching mark stands at 267 wins and 189 losses.

Bert Heckel - Football/Track

Bert Heckel was a three time All-Gulf States Conference tackle from 1957-1959. He was a four time all GSC track and field choice in the shot put and discus. Bert set Northwestern States records in both events and broke the GSC record twice in the shot put witha best of 52.9. Heckel was Slidell High School's first All-American and was recruited byt the likes of Ole Miss. As a high school senior, he and Billy Cannon captained the Sough team in the Louisiana High School All Star game. Heckel's records of 55-5 in the shot put (then a high school record) and 152-10 in the discus which still stands 40 years later. Heckel was a Williamson's Mid Bracket All American football player in his senior year at Northwestern. Heckel turned down professional offers to enter coaching.

Johnny Jackson - Football/Track

John Jackson was a Demon starter in the late 1940’s in track and football.  John entered Northwestern after completing service in the U.S Nay in the fall of 1946m making the varsity football team as a running back. In the Spring of 1947 he was a member of eh 440 relay team that captured Southwestern Track title and also ran the 100, 200 meter dashes along with the 440 and 880 relay team.  He was named Gulf State Conference first team Fullback in 1947 and in the Spring of 1948 ran track.

Donald Johnson - Football/Track

Donald Johnson played for the Northwestern Demons as a true freshman, he played on specialty teams, kick-offs, kick-off returns and blocking extra point and field goal attempts. During his freshman year, he carry the ball on offense and earned 33 yards. As a sophomore, he was the starting tailback, rushed for 709 yards and led the Gulf States Conference with the best average per carry average (6.3) on 112 carries.  As a junior, he carried the ball 92 times for 624 yards for a 6.8 rushing average. Donald’s senior year he rushed for 887 yards on 159 carries for a 5.6 yard average, the best average ever in the league for a single season. During his senior year he scored six touchdowns, including four from 38 yards out or longer. An 84 yard run against Delta State was the longest ever by a GSC back. He set a record with a 184 yard rushing game against Northeast State University he had a 66 yard run against McNeese State University. His 887 yards rushing effort during his senior year was a school rushing record and allow him to break the All American, Charles “Tank” Taylor’s rushing record for 2,194 with record setting output of 2,253 yards. Donald’s effort on the Demons football team earned him the MVP selection on the first team LSWA and Offensive player of the year in the Gulf States Conference. His outstanding career at NSU also earned him with a selection to the Outstanding College Athlete of America and Who’s Who for 1973.  As a side note, E. H. Gilson Sr., “N” Club Hall of Fame member and Quarterback for the 1939 Undefeated team remarked that “Donald Johnson was one of the most exciting running backs that had ever worn the Purple and White for Northwestern”.

 Danny Bob Turner - Football/Track

Danny Bob is one of only a few Baseball All Americans in the history of the university. He attended in NSU the late 60's. Danny Bob was a four year letterman in baseball at third base and an All Gulf State Conference pick 1966, 1967, and 1968. He was a member of the only NSU baseball team to go to the Little College World Series in 1967 and 1968. Danny was also a member of the 1966 Undefeated National Ranked #1 football team. He was fifth in the nation in 1967 with a .444 batting average and the the time of induction he owned the record for most triples in consecutive times at bat with four against Southwestern Louisiana in a 1967 doubleheader.

Gene Knecht - Football Coach

Malcom Deacon Lewis - Football

Malcom “Deacon” Lewis was a baseball and football performer for Northwestern in the mid 1960’s. On the gridiron, he was a three year starter, quarterbacking NSU’s undefeated 1966 team. He was voted Gulf States Conference Back of the Year in 1966 and led the league in scoring. Northwestern was ranked as the No. 1 team in the nations during the 1966 undefeated season.  Deacon played baseball in 1966 and 1968, in 1966 he posted a win/loss mark of 6-2 with a 2.39 ERA while leading the GSC in strikeouts (67 in 60 innings). He completed six games that year in nine starts. In 1968 he went 6-1 on the mound with a league leading .59 ERA and batted .313. 

Al Nicosia - Football/Baseball

Al Nicosia lettered in football and baseball at Northwestern from 1946-1950. He was an All-Gulf States Conference selection in baseball, he made the team as a catcher his junior season (1949) and as a first baseball his senior campaign (1950). His 17 home runs topped the GSC his senior year and he hit over .300 each of his four varsity seasons. After graduation Al coached at Oakdale developing a track and field program and winning an AA State Championship in 1960. He also coached at Hammond High School, Jackson High School and West Monroe. He received his master's degree from NSU in 1960 and his doctorate for the University of Oklahoma in 1973.

Ken Shaw - Basketball

Ken was an Indiana native who stared on the NSU basketball team form 1952 -1954. In 78 games he scored 1184 points (15.2 average) and snatched 888 rebounds (11.4). His rebounds ranks him in the top tier in school history. Ken received honorable mention Gulf State Conference picks in 1951-1952, he was named first team All GSC in the 52-53 and 53-54 seasons. Ken was also a two year letterman in Baseball. Ken held the all time leading scorer until James Wyhatt eclipsed his record in 1967. He is one of the top players at NSU history to score over 1,000 points and grab over 600 rebounds during a career at NSU.

 Vic Nyvall - Football

Vic was a sensational gridiron performer who gained All Gulf States Conference honors in 1967 and 1968. He was selected team MVP in 1967 after he eighth in the nation in punt returns and was an All American candidate in 1968. During his NSU career he held records in most rushes per game (31), most net yards by punt returns (129), most yards by kick off return (136), most touchdowns in a game (3), most  kicks returned in one season (18), and most yard returned by kick off in a season (392). He is also in the top scoring leaders with 108 points. After graduation he played professional football with the New Orleans Saints in 1970.

Vernon Wilson - Basketball

Vernon Wilson was one of only three NSU  Basketball All-American’s being so honored in 1973. Wilson is NSU’s all-time leaders in average points per game at 20.6, and he scored a career total of 1, 548 points in just 75 games. He was the team’s leading scorer in 197, 1972, and 1973 and was Team MVP during those three seasons. Vernon was named 1971 Gulf States Conference Rookie of the Year, first team all-Louisiana in 1972 and 1973. After the 1973 season he was named an NAIA District 30 First Teamer and a member of the NAIA All –Star team that toured Israel playing against that country’s Olympic team. Vernon’s highest scoring game came against New Orleans in 72-73 when he hit for 37, which was the fifth highest in school history.

 Class of 1989 Inductees

Al Phillips - Football

Al Phillips for Zachary Louisiana was a four year letterman and three time All Gulf States Conference selection, Phillips held numerous Demon records, including most touchdowns by pass reception in a season (10 in 1968), best kick-off return average in a season (227.9) in 1970. and in a career (25.2). Al was originally signed as a defensive back, Phillips spent the 1967 season as an offensive back and from 67-70 was a wide receiver. At on time he held 14 school records. During his senior year he played on defense as a linebacker in passing situations.

Jack Huckaby - Football

Jack Huckaby received fours football letter while attending Northwestern from 1947-1950. Jack single handedly won the 1950 Homecoming contest against Southeastern Louisiana after blocking a put for the winning touchdown. He was chosen honorable mention All-Gulf States Conference in 1948, he gained first team all league status in 1950 as a tackle. Jack was named top defensive lineman in 1950, and was a candidate for the Tom Harmon's Little All-American Team.

Bill Reynolds - Basketball

Ross Gwinn - Football

Ross Gwinn was a four year letterman as an offensive tackle from 1963-1966. He was a key member of the undefeated 1966 Demon football team that ended up ranked #1 in the Nation. Ross was named All-Gulf States Conference in both 1965 and 1966 and also was a four year letterman in track and field. He played professional football with the Baltimore Colts in 1967, he played with the New Orleans Saints in 1968, 1969, and 1970. He was a member of the Canadian Football League in 1972 with the Edmonton Eskimos.

   Kenny Hrapman - Football

Gene Wright - Basketball

Class of 1990 Inductees

James "Buddy" Thomas - Basketball

Jim Thomas was a four year starter at both the forward and center slots in basketball. Thomas was widely renown for his defensive abilities. He attended NSU from 1951-1955, playing under Coach Charles "Red" Thomas. An All-Conference selection following is sophomore season. Thomas never played on a team with a losing record as NSU went 81-43 (.653 winning percentage) during his tenure with the Northwestern State basketball teams.

Dr. Mixon Bankston - Football/Track

Doc Bankston attended Northwestern from 1953-1956, and was a four year letterman, who helped the Demons win four straight GSC titles. Doc won the Gulf State ConferenceChampionship in the shot put in 1953, 1954, and 1955 while setting a school and GSC record in 1955.  He was an NAIA finalist in 1954-55 and a SAAU finalist in 1955.  Doc won the prestigious Southwestern Relays shot put title in 1955. He was a three time All-GSC in track. Doc also earned letters from 1954 – 1955 as an end and tackle on the football team

Ernest "Bama" Wright - Football/Track

Earnest ‘Bama” Wright was the captain of the 1941 Demon football team and a key player on the 1939 first undefeated football team at Louisiana Normal (Northwestern State). Wright caught three touchdown passes and blocked a punt which was recovered for the decisive touchdown in the upset win over Mississippi Southern. As a senior he caught 11 passes, including the winning TD, against Ouachita Baptist. He was also a three year letterman, who won the L.I.C Championship in the 440 yard dash and the mile relay. Wright had a record attendance at the Northwestern Homecoming which lasted 45 years with missing one homecoming game. 

Dennis Choate - Baseball

Dennis ranks near the top among all-time Demon baseball pitchers. He finished his Demon career (1972-75) owning career records for appearances (62), complete games (32), innings pitched (318.5), strikeouts (206),  and was second in career wins with 25. Dennis was All Gulf South Conference, All NAI A District 30 andAll NCAA College Division South Region.  His best season was his junior year, when he was 9-3 with 3.33 ERA and lost a 4-2 decision to NAIA National Champ Sam Houston State in a regional playoff. Dennis was a product of  Natchitoches Central High and later coached a Mansfield High School.

Mario Cage - Football

Mario Cage became Northwestern's first 1000-yard rusher in a single season ( 218 carries, 1057 yards, in 1973). He was voted Northwestern's Most Valuable Player in 1973 and 1974 (216 carries, 826 yards). Mario was named to the All gulf South Conference Team in 1974.  At the time of his induction he rank #5 in single game rushing performance in Demon history, going for a then school record of 194 yards on 32 carries (6.1 average) vs. Southeastern in 1973. At induction he ranked sixth on career rushing with 2,121 yards and fourth on most carries list (505). At induction Mario also held the school single game kickoff return yards record of 136.  He was drafted in 1975 by the Baltimore Colts professional football team.

Dr. Robert Alost - Football/University President

Donald G. Kelly - Football/ State Senator

Class of 1991 Inductees

Leo Gaston - Track

Leo Gatson was an NAIA All-American in cross country in 1975 and an NCAA Division 2 All-American in 1976 under Coach Jerry Dyes. He set records in the 800, 1500, as a part of the sprint medley team and his marks in the 800 (1:49.24, 1976) and the sprint medley (3:17.07, 1976) still stood at the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame. Leo was an NAIA District 309 champion as a senior in the 800 and 1500 and finished fourth in the NAIA nationals in the 1500. He was co-champion in the NAIA District 30 cross country competition as a senior and finished seventh in the national championship meet.  Leo earned team’s High Poi9nt Award and Scholastic Award as a senior. As a junior, he set the Gulf South Conference record while winning the mile run. Leo retired for Conoco Oil Company in Texas.

Sammy Booras - Basketball/Baseball

Earned 7 different letters as a two-sport player for Northwestern basketball (1951-53) and baseball (1950-53)....nicknamed Mr. Perpetual Motion for his fiery and hustling attitude on the court...in his senior year of 1953 he was named All-Gulf States Conference (GSC) Tournament for Coach Red Thomas, on a squad that went 22-10...leading scorer with 12 points as Demons beat Texas A&M in College Station, 58-53, that same year (first major win in Northwestern's history)... a Demon guard on the hardwood..in baseball twice earned All-Gulf States Conference as an infielder, 2B and SS in 1952 and 1953, for coach Alvin"Cracker" Brown...a few final basketball notes: Demon assist leader as a senior, passing to All-American, Johnny McConathy, as a sophomore led the team in FT% at .705 (31 0f 39)...in 1954 was Northwestern's Freshman Basketball Coach and also scouted opponents for the varsity... played high school basketball and baseball at Byrd High School in Shreveport

Corwyn Aldredge - Football

Corwyn Aldredge played football for Northwestern 1962-1964 and was a three years letterman.  Corwyn was an All Gulf States Conference selection following his senior year in 1964.  He played on the Jack Clayton 1962 coached team posted a 7-2-1 record to win the conference championship. On offense, he was a three year starter at tight end. During the 1964 season he earned All-American status as a defense end. After his college career, Corwyn was drafted in the 5^th round by the American Football Leagues’s Boston Patroits and the sixth round by the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns. He signed with the Browns and stayed with them for one year. Corwy’s son Corwyn Jr played for Mississippi State and also played in the National Football League. In 2007 Corwyn Jr’s son signed a scholarship to play at Northwestern State University.

Lester Latino - Football

Lester Latino is the namesake of the Lester Latino Memorial Award given each year to the Demon football player who exemplifies hard work, hustle, unselfish play, leadership and exceptional performance on and off the field. Lester lettered a linebacker from 1966-1969. As a junior he won the Most Tackles Award and was named Permanent Team Captain and All-Gulf South Conference. As also received these same awards for his senior season as well as All-Louisiana recognition.

Carl Maddox - Football

Wiley Cummins - Basketball

Wiley Cummings was a three year letterman on three conference basketball championship teams 1939-1941. He was co-captain of the basketball team in 1941 and was also the second leading scorer for that season. Wiley was a three time letterman in track and was Northwestern’s top long jumper and ran the 100 and 220 dashes as the team won conferences titles in 1939 and 1940. After graduation Wiley coached and won the 1942 State Basketball Championship at Pleasant Hill High School and was 224-66 lifetime. While at Negreet High School Wiley helped build the girls basketball program which won seven state titles from 1953-1967, he also served as the Superintendent of Schools in Sabine Parish.

Class of 1992 Inductees

Dr. Arnold Kilpatrick - Coach/University President

President of Northwestern from 1966-1978, Dr. Kilpatrick oversaw the movement of the university's athletic program to the NCAA Division 1 status, the beginning of intercolleigate athletics for women and the development of the modern athletic complex, with the focal points being the fieldhouse and renovated football stadium. The $9 million project changed the face of Demon athletics. It included establishment of a modern track and field complex and outstanding training and weight room facilities for use by all Northwestern athletes, along with coaching and administrative office for athletic staff. After serving as president of the Gulf South Conference, Kilpatrick was a leader on the national athletic scene as well, serving as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1974. Under his tenure, Northwestern football and gymnastics teams were ranked ranked No. 1 nationally in NAIA competition. A 1943 graduate of Northwestern and a former football, track and field and baseball athlete for the Demons, Kilpatrick was a highly successful basketball coach at Jonesboro-Hodge High School and later served as athletic director and head basketball coach from 1951-57 at Northeast Louisiana University, where he was responsible for getting NLU admitted into the GSC. He was name state "Coach of the Year" in 1955 after guiding the Indians to 22 wins.  

Darryl Woods - Baseball

Darryl was a two time Division 1 All American first baseman in 1973-7, Woods set the NCAA career home run record (31) while setting many Demons hitting records. As a Junior, he led the nation in runs batted in as was second in home runs while batting .365 and posting a .687 slugging percentage. He was second on the team in fielding (.988) and set a single season record for home runs (12), RBI (41) and total bases (79). He was All Gulf State Conference and was the team MVP. As a senior, he was the GSC MVP and won the league's "Triple Crown" while surpassing his school records with 19 home runs, 56 RBI and 113 total bases and an incredible .801 slugging percentage. He batted .376 in 1974. His two year career average of .367  still ranks in the top 4 in school history (as of 2006).

Edwin Schroeder - Football

Ed Schroeder played at NSU from 1954-56 and  was a standout at offensive right guard and defensive nose guard. After winning All District honors t Cypress Fairbanks HS in Houston, he played his first two seasons of football at Wharton JC and transferred to Northwestern. He backed up All American Bob Tatum as a junior but emerged as a star in his own right as a senior, receiving the Raymond McFadden Most Valuable Player Award and winning first team All Gulf States Conference honors.  In 1957 he played for the 160th Signal Group-Panzer Kaserne Chiefs in Boblingen, Germany as was chosen for the Seventh Army All Star Team and was honorable mention All-USAREUR. He went on to a teaching, coaching and counseling career in the Houston area.

Mike Maggio - Football

John Ropp - Coach Football

John Ropp lettered as a fullback in the 1950's, Ropp joined the Demon coaching staff in 1966 and helped the team post the second unbeaten record (9-0) in school history. He coached the offensive line and was in charge of the kicking game for nine years.  Many school  records were set in rushing, total offense and in the kicking game. He coached 21 All Conference lineman. Coach Ropp was an excellent recruiter, he retired from coaching in 1975, but continues to stay close to Demon athletics. He was president of the Graduate N Club for two years and has been a member of the NSU Foundation Board.

  Murrell Walker - Coach Basketball

Murrell was a two sport star for the Demons, Walker became a great high school coach after his playing days at NSU and was elected to the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his coaching accomplishments. As a Demon athlete, he earned four letter in basketball and in track, helping the basket ball team to four straight playoff appearances. The track team was unbeaten during his career as the ran the 440, 880, and mile relay, winning All GSC honors for three years.

Class of 1993 Inductees

Woody Schick - Baseball

Woody earned four baseball letters at NSU. He was a starting pitcher in his sophomore and junior years before injuring his arm as a senior. His sophomore year he went 5-5 with just over a 2.00 ERA.  He won six games in his junior year. During this time he pitched both ends of a double header against Stephen F. Austin, losing the first game then coming back to toss a no hitter in the nightcap. He formerly held the record for most starts in a season (14) and ranks in the top tier for most complete games in a season (13). During  and after his career he ranks in top tier of  most no hitters and most innings pitched in a season (105 2/3), as well as ranking in the top five in most shutouts in a season.

Diane Pittman McCain - Basketball

Diane was the second leading scorer on the team as a freshman in 1972 (12 ppg) . Diane became the team's leading scorer during her sophomore year (20 ppg) earning a spot on the LAIAW All Tournament team and winning MVP awards at the NSU Invitational and LSU Invitational. She was No. 2 scorer (15  ppg) in her last two seasons.  Diane was on of the first women in the state to receive an athletic scholarship in 1975.  She held the single game scoring record for 11 years with a 41 point effort against LA Tech in 1975. Diane ranks among career Lady Demon leaders in single season scoring,  rebounding and free throw percentage. Diane went on to a very successful coaching career.

David Wright - Football

David is considered one of the greatest all around athletes in school history, Wright played four positions in four year after spurning scholarship offers from major powers such as Oklahoma to follow his father's (Ted) footsteps and play for his hometown Demons. He was a quarterback as a freshman, a fullback as a sophomore, defensive end as junior and a linebacker as a senior. At quarterback, he threw fro 58 yards and a touchdown. As a fullback, he ran for 190 yards and three TD's and caught 8 passes for 72 yards. As a junior defensive end, Wright had 64 tackles and 6 quarterback sacks. At linebacker in his senior year, he made 91 tackles, including a team high 17 against Stephen F. Austin, and was honorable mention All-Louisiana. He was voted Defensive Permanent Team Captain.

Petey Perot - Football

Perhaps the greatest offensive lineman in Northwestern history, Perot was a second round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft by Philadelphia and played eight NFL seasons as an offensive guard with the Eagles (1979-84) and Saints (1985-86). He was a four year starter at tackle at NSU, also playing some guard, for the Demons and won All-Louisiana honors two times. He started in the 1980 Super Bowl and was named Sports Illustrated "Offensive Player of the Week" on September 29, 1985 for his performance against the San Francisco 49ers. He has since become a highly successful offensive line coach at Louisiana Tech, during his coaching at LA Tec he tutored the No. 8 pick in the NFL draft, tackle Willie Roaf.

Emma Ellerman Boozman - Basketball

Emma  was an outstanding player on the first Lady Demon basket ball team to be invited to the National Invitational Tournament. Emma lettered for four years (73-76), averaging 10 points and five rebound per game. She became first woman to receive a letter winner's ring at Northwestern. She was all tournament several times during her tenure.  Emma also played volleyball for two seasons.  As a high school coach she has over 330 wins, winning two state championships and finishing as a state runner up once. Her prep teams have participated in the state playoffs over 12 time and she has coached several players who have become Lady Demons stars, including Linda Grayson, Sandy Pugh, Annie Harris and Tee Holden.

Class of 1994 Inductees

Arthur "Tank" Berry - Football

A 1984 Kodak Coaches and Associated Press Division 1-AA All-American, Berry was the Gulf Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year as the Demons tied for the conference title. He also won the GSC  Male Athlete of the Year honor. Berry was a first-team  All-GSC and All-Louisiana pick as a defensive tackle and was voted by his teammates as the Demons' defensive MVP. Berry made 77 tackles, including 9 for negative yards and a team high 9 quarterback sacks. He blocked a field goal in a 22-0 shutout of Southern Mississippi, a win that ranks among the greatest in school history. Berry anchored a defense which led Division I-AA in scoring defense, allowing just 9.0 points per game. As a sophomore in 1982, he was a first-team All-Louisiana performer at nose guard. Coach Sam Goodwin and staff voted his to the 10 year "All Goodwin Team" honoring the top players in Goodwin's first decade (1983-92) as Northwestern's football coach.

Tony Papa - Football

Tony Papa was a prep standout from Jesuit High School in Shreveport, who played football at Northwestern from 1967-1971 after transferring from Texas A & M. During his career  he won the  offensive back award. Tony was one of the outstanding backs that ran the ball for Coach Glenn Gossett.  Coach Gossett’s team set many of the offensive records for that period of time. Tony’s football career was cut short due to a career ending injury. Tony’s high school credentials include two all city awards, all district and all state awards, and an all Southern and honorable all American choice following his senior season at Jesuit, after his senior season he signed with Texas A & M before transferring to Northwestern.

Tommy Mathis - Basketball

The Coushatta product was a two-time All-Gulf States Conference selection, ranking second in the GSC with an 18.2 scoring average as a junior. He scored 996 career points while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 75.3 percent on free throws in his career. A guard, he led the Demons in scoring in his junior and senior years and was a four-year letterman from 1960-64. He also ran on the track team as a freshman and sophomore.

Gary McCrary - Football

Gary was a four year starter and letterman fro the Demon football team 1968-1971, he started the last three games in 1968 and continued to start a center for the next three years. He won three consecutive Best Offensive Lineman awards and was a two time first team All Gulf State Conference selection. Gary was a two time honorable mention All American and won the team's Scholastic Award as a senior and was name permanent team captain.

Class of 1995 Inductees

Mike Pool - Football

Mike lettered in football from 1967079 as quarterback of powerful Demon teams, completing 550 passes for 1,678 yard and 13 TD's. He ran 303 times for 1,213 yards, including five games with more than 100 yards. During his time as quarterback the Demons were so sure the defensive could not stop the running game, the offensive lineman would tell the defensive line that Mike was going to run the 15 sweep, he did and they did not stop him. His 63 yard TD run helped the Demons upend LA Tech Bulldogs 20-17 in the 1970 State Fair Classic. In 1969, he broke the school single game rushing record with 167 yards Vs. Southeastern and also broke the mark for the longest TD pass, an 85-yarder. Voted Permanent Team Captain in his last two seasons and team MVP in 1969. He was selected second-team All GSC in 1969 and first team All Gulf States as a senior.

Jimmy Steen - Football

Linwood Outz - Basketball/Baseball

Linwood was a two sport letterman for the Demons from 1948 thru 1951. He started for two years and part of his freshman season for the basketball team. He averaged 10 points per game and eight rebounds for his career, he was a defensive specialist who always drew assignment of guarding the other squad's top player.  Outz was honorable mention all conference for the 1950-51 season. In baseball, he was a starting pitcher for two seasons. Outz  worked for IBM for 30 years before retiring in 1986.

John Kulakowski - Football

The Southland conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, Kulakowski won first-team Associated Press All-American honors as a defensive end. He had a school-record 15 quarterback sacks that year, finishing his career with 24 sacks from 1984-1987. A fiery player, he was a member of the 1984 Gulf Star Conference co-championship team and played on two teams (84,87) that cracked the Division 1-AA Top 20 rankings. Coach Sam Goodwin and staff voted him to the 10-year "All-Goodwin Team' honoring the top players in Goodwin's first decade (83-92) as Northwestern's football coach.

Class of 1996 Inductees

Lou Baxter - Coach Basketball

Lou Baxter's activism and advocacy put Northwestern at the forefront of intercollegiate women's athletics in Louisiana. Northwestern had the first women's basketball team of the post WWII era in Louisiana, in 1966-67. Other state colleges gradual followed suit, prodded along by Baxter. Northwestern hosted the state's first women's basketball tournament that year. It hosted the first camp for high school girls basketball players in 1973, Baxter, a physical education professor, served as volunteer basketball coach for the "Demonettes."  Along with setting precedents, the "Demonettes" established the winning tradition that remain today. From 1967-74, the team had a 70-31 record record while competing against many squads that were fully funded by their university. The most noteworthy achievement was receiving an invitation to the 1973 National Women's Invitational Tournament. By the time the athletic department took over funding the program for the 74-75 season, the "Demonettes" had filled two trophy cases in the P.E. Majors Building.

Frank Lampkin - Football

Lampkin, a two year all conference guard in basketball, he was also a standout javelin thrower in track and field. In basketball, he helped the Demons win the Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference title back to back in 1946-47 and 1947-48 after having his college career interrupted by WWII. The 47-48 team advanced to National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball Championships (forerunner of the NAIA). He won the LIC javelin championship as a senior and took the Southern AAU Junior Division title. He was second in the Southern AAU Senior Division. As a member of the U.S Marines during the war, Lampkin played on a Marine basketball team that won the West Coast Military Championship before he returned to college.

  Gary Reasons - Football

 Inducted in College Football Hall of Fame, 1996

 Reasons is the only three-time All-American in nine decades of football at Northwestern State University.  His jersey was the third of four retired by the school, along with two-time All-Americans Al Dodd and Joe Delaney and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Smith. He became the first player in Division I-AA history to win All-America honors in three successive seasons after his senior year in 1983.   Reasons set a school record with 24 tackles vs. McNeese State in the opening game of his senior year. He capped his Demon career with school records for tackles in a season (172) and career (394) and was an honors graduate in business administration in 1984.  A college teammate of future pro standouts Delaney, Bobby Hebert and Mark Duper, Reasons was chosen by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft and made the NFL’s All-Rookie Team for the Giants that fall. He played nine seasons in the NFL, eight with the Giants, and won two Super Bowl championships, in 1986 (XXI) and 1991. He was the leading tackler for New York with six stops in the 1991 Super Bowl XXV win over Buffalo. Named to the “All-Madden Team” during his pro career, Reasons was part of one of the most storied linebacking corps in pro football history, starting alongside Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson. Reasons served on the NFL Players Association Executive Council and was the Giants’ NFLPA representative during his career. He has worked as a sideline reporter and analyst since 1994 for ABC TV Sports. 

Career Statistics and Honors
                                                                                         Fumbles                                 Tackles

Year    Games           Tackles           Assists           Total    Recovered     Int.       BrUp   For Loss

1980       11                 41                  17                  58                 --          --            2          --

1981        9                  53                  33                  86                 2            3            2          12

1982       11                 38                  40                  78                 --          --             2           6  

1983        11                94                  78                 172                --           2             4           4

Totals      42               226                168                 394                   2          5           10         22

 TOP HONORS

 1981--Kodak/AFCA Division I-AA first team All-American, only sophomore on the team
            All-Louisiana First team linebacker, selected by Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
            Honored by NSU team as Demon Award winner for linebackers.

1982--Kodak/AFCA Division I-AA first team All-American for second straight season
            All-Louisiana first team linebacker on LSWA team

1983--Kodak/AFCA Division I-AA first team All-American for third straight season,  first I-AA player to be named to that team for three straight seasons.  Associated Press I-AA second team All-American   All-Louisiana Defensive MVP by LSWA and by New Orleans Times/Picayune  Named by NSU team as Most Valuable Defensive player and Permanent Team Captain  1984--No. 34 Jersey becomes third retired by university at football banquet in January

Class of 1998 Inductees

Bobby Hebert - Football

Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., (born August 19, 1960, in Galliano in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana) is a sportscaster but best known as a retired quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He played professionally in the USFL and NFL from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons. Nicknamed the "Cajun Cannon", Hebert led the Panthers to the USFL championship in the league's inaugural season. Later he helped bring the Saints their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Hebert was inducted to the Saints Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Northwestern State University Graduate "N" Club Hall of Fame in 1998. His surname is pronounced "AY-BARE". Bobby played his college years at Northwestern State University in Louisiana.

Ginger Craig - Softball

Gordon Boogarts - Football

J. L. McConathy - Basketball/Track

Huey Cranford - Basketball Coach

Kenny Trahant - Football

Class of 1999 Inductees

Sam Goodwin - Football Coach

James Smith - Women's Basketball Coach