Two
former HBCU players to be enshrined into College Football
Hall of Fame
April 23, 2005
Mississippi Valley State's Willie Totten and Lincoln (MO) University's Leo
Lewis have been included in the 2005 Divisional Class of the College Football
Hall of Fame.
“We are pleased to announce the 10th College Football Hall of Fame Divisional
Class since the election process expanded in 1996 to include players from all
divisions,” said Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of The National Football Foundation & College
Hall of Fame (NFF). “The legacy and accomplishments of these remarkable
individuals will be celebrated at Enshrinement Festivities at the Hall in South
Bend this August.”
This year’s class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of
Fame during Enshrinement Ceremonies at the Hall, August 12-13, in South Bend,
Indiana. The class includes:
Players:
Mike Barber, Marshall (W.Va.), Wide Receiver, 1985-88
Kirk Baumgartner, Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Quarterback, 1986-89
Leo Lewis, Lincoln (Mo.), Running Back, 1951-54
Willie Totten, Mississippi Valley State, Quarterback, 1982-85
Coaches:
Roger Harring, Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1969-99, 261-75-7
Frosty Westering, Parsons College (Iowa)(1962-63), Lea College (Minn.)
(1966-71), Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) (1972-2003), 305-96-7
In order for a player to be eligible for College Football Hall of Fame consideration,
they must have received First Team All-America status by a selector that is
recognized by the NCAA; played their last year of intercollegiate football
within the last 50 years, but no fewer than 10 years ago; and be currently
retired from playing on the professional level. Coaches become eligible three
years after retirement provided he was a head coach for a minimum of 10 years
and coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning percentage.
In both cases, a nominee’s post football record as a citizen is also
weighed. He must have proven himself worthy as a citizen, carrying the ideals
of football forward into his relations with his community and his fellow man
with love of his country. Consideration may also be given for academic honors
and whether or not the candidate earned a college degree.
A Mississippi Valley State legend and half of one of the greatest quarterback
/ wide receiver duos in Division I-AA history, Willie “Satellite” Totten
passed himself into the all-time national record books and continues to make
a difference at the university today.
“It’s always good to know that people remember your accomplishments
when you played. It’s been twenty years, it’s just remarkable”,
said Totten. “To be considered by the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame
lets me know that I really accomplished something as a student-athlete, it
makes me feel very, very good.”
Becoming Mississippi Valley State’s first College Football Hall of Fame
inductee, Totten earned First Team All-America status in 1984 after leading
the nation and setting the all-time single-season touchdown passes mark (56)
for all divisions.
With 139 career touchdown passes, Totten is Division I-AA’s all-time
leader and ranks second in career passing yards (12,711) and single-season
passing yards (4,557 in 1984). Owning numerous MVSU passing and total offense
records, he twice led the nation in passing efficiency. Five times in Totten’s
career he passed for more than 530 yards in a single game, including a 599-yard
performance in 1984 vs. Prairie View - the third best single-game performance
in Division I-AA history.
Following a brief professional career in the Canadian and Arena Football Leagues,
Totten earned his master’s degree from Grambling before becoming the
14th head football coach in MVSU history in 2001.
“Valley gave me my start and anytime you can come back and have Mississippi
Valley receive national recognition its good”, said Totten. “I
love Mississippi Valley. I will always be a part of Mississippi Valley and
Mississippi Valley will always be a part of me.”
A dominating running back, Lincoln’s Leo Lewis compiled huge rushing
statistics in an era when big numbers by a rusher were uncommon. Leading the
Blue Tigers to a 27-5-3 record in his collegiate career, he went on to become
one of the greatest professional players in Canadian Football League history.
A two-time First Team All-America selection, Lewis rewrote the Lincoln record
books. At 5-foot-10, 185-pounds, he smashed school all-time records for touchdowns
in a season (22), touchdowns in a career (64), rushing yards in a season (1,239)
and career rushing yards (4,457).
Following graduation in 1954, Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Colts of
the National Football League, but it was in the CFL that he made his greatest
mark. In 11 seasons with Winnipeg, he earned All-Pro honors six times solidifying
is position among the league’s all-time best and securing him a place
in the CFL Hall of Fame.
A very active and devoted community member, Lewis participates in the National
Youth Sports Program and is a member of the Mason, Kiwanis and Imperial Clubs.
After his playing days ended, he enjoyed short stints as Lincoln’s head
football and women’s basketball coach.
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