SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor
Wayne Hawkins (football, 1989-91 ; track, 1990-92) was an All-America athlete in both football and track.
A 1992 NFL draft pick of the New England Patriots, he is one of the most decorated football players in school history holding several school records and earning numerous post-season awards.
As a senior in 1991, he had one of the best season’s an individual player could have as he set an NAIA record with 126 receptions for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns and had one kickoff return for a score. He finished the year with 134 points.
Hawkins helped lead SMSU to a school record 9-1 season in 1991 and was named first team all-conference, first team NAIA All-America, first team AP Little All-America and Kodak College Division I All-America. He also played in both the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic and East-West Shrine Game, becoming the first SMSU player to play in either game, which has rosters that are usually dominated by NCAA Division I players.
He closed his career ranking first in school history in both career receiving yards (2,992) and receptions (248) and second in career touchdowns (28).
On the track, he was a 1991 NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters and was a 1991 NAIA Indoor All-America in the 60-yard dash. In 1990, he was an NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters. He also was the NIC champion in both the 100 and 200 meters in both 1990 and 1991 and earned all-conference honors both years.
Hawkins was inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame in 2013.
