Hall of Fame
Russell “Boggie” Hester was a pitcher for the Mulerider baseball team in 1974 and 1975 after playing two years at what was then WestArk Junior College in Fort Smith.
Coached by former SAU baseball and basketball coach and hall of fame member Monroe Ingram, Hester was a NAIA All-District 17 selection in both his seasons and was named All-AIC in 1975. He had a combined 17-6 record in 24 appearances over his two years, pitching in 12 games each season. In 1974 he was 7-4, struck out 72, and posted a 1.90 ERA, and in 1975 had a conference best 10-2 record, with 88 strikeouts and an impressive 1.10 ERA.
Hester teamed with Southern Arkansas Hall of Fame member Gary Wilson to lead the Muleriders to the AIC championship in 1975, and like Wilson, pitched for the USA All-Stars in the summer of 1975 on a trip to the Orient to play Korea and Taiwan. He also was a member of the ’75 AIC All-Star team that played the Arkansas Travelers in an exhibition game. Hester and Wilson combined on a Mulerider pitching staff that led the NAIA in 1975 with a 1.16 ERA.
Hester and his wife, Joyce, have four children; daughter Dara Hensley of Clinton; and sons Brent Hester of Springdale, Brian Hester of Farmington, and Bart Hester of Rogers; and 12 grandchildren.
A native of Little Rock, Hester now resides at Greer’s Ferry and is superintendent of schools at Heber Springs.
