MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University is celebrating 50 years during the 2017-18 academic year.
During the next few months, SMSU Athletics will take a look back and fondly remember some of the most memorable events, teams, coaches and student-athletes over the past 50 years.
This week, football and baseball standout,
Lionel Bolden:
Lionel Bolden was a standout in both football and baseball in the 1970s. He rushed for 1,946 yards on 520 carries in his four-year football career and batted .274 with 83 RBI in four years on the baseball diamond.
A native of South Bend, Indiana, he was named All-NIC in both 1974 and 1975 in baseball and twice received All-NIC honorable mention in football. He led the NIC with 38 total bases in 1974 and helped lead SMSU to its first conference championship in school history.
In the football record book, Bolden still ranks seventh all-time in school history in rushing yards, sixth in rushing attempts and tied for 15th in rushing touchdowns.
Following graduation, Bolden served on the SMSU Foundation Board of Director and was an active member of the Mustang Booster Club.
Bolden inducted into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in 1994.
