Southeastern Louisiana University will be inducting six new members to the SLU Athletics Hall of Fame at Friday's North Oaks Health System SLU Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet. Each day this week, we'll share an interview with a member of the 2025 class.
9/7: Mack Boatner, Football
9/8: Courtney Donald Sweeney, Volleyball
9/9: Cqulin Hubert, Football
9/10: Ed Nodhturft, Baseball
9/11: Hope Sabadash, Soccer
9/12: Sarah Williams, Women's Basketball
Mack Boatner, Football
Boatner starred for the Lions from 1978-81, leading the team in rushing each of his final three seasons and earning team Most Valuable Player honors in 1979 and 1980. He ranks among the school's career leaders with 2,776 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns and 11 100-yard rushing games.
His 275 rushing yards versus Delta State in 1980 is still the program's single-game standard. Following his SLU career, he was drafted in the ninth round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and spent four years in the USFL and NFL. He will be one of 70 members of the Southeastern football program inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Boatner recently discussed his time at Southeastern and upcoming induction with LionSports.net.
LionSports.net: What were some of your favorite memories from your time as a Lion?
Boatner: They all were such great memories, but I think the specific one was the game against Delta State when I had that big yardage. I got pulled out early and they were able to give someone else a chance. So, I was happy to see one of my teammates get an opportunity. We acted like brothers and called ourselves brothers, so I was just happy and elated to see someone else go in and succeed as well.
LionSports.net: Are you able to keep up with many of your teammates or coaches from your time at Southeastern?
Boatner: I see a lot of the local guys when I come home. I see Coach (Oscar) Lofton every time I'm in town. I've been able to stay in touch with a few quys – Lyle Walker, Ronnie Doyle and Buddy Lowe, along with my old roommate, Herman Colly, as well as Glenn Ferrill, Albert Chapman and David Patterson. I listen to a couple of Southeastern games each year on the radio and I hear Robbie Mahfouz is doing a great job as part of the broadcast crew.
LionSports.net: How did your time as a Southeastern student-athlete shape you?
Boatner: I really enjoyed playing for Coach (Billy) Brewer, but Coach Lofton spoke from his heart and often about God. I was brought up by a preacher, so what he was saying matched what I had in my heart.
I loved the camaraderie I had with my teammates. I knew they were hoping I did well and I was wanting them to succeed too. I was bigger than most of my linemen, so it was nice to see someone smaller than me move someone bigger than me. And when I fall, they were right there to pick me up. I learned from my time as a Lion that you can't beat teamwork.
I moved to Phoenix after my playing days were over and I recently retired after 30 years as a probation officer. After being part of the Southeastern football team, from that team dynamic, I learned how to talk to people and that really served me in my career. I saw it all in that job and I was able to get things out of people that others couldn't because of my faith base and many of the things I learned about interacting people while I was a player at SLU.
