MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Southern Arkansas University Department of Athletics has announced that it will add seven new individual members and two teams to its Sports Hall of Fame as the 22nd class was elected by the Hall's induction committee earlier this summer.
The newest class will be formally inducted during a ceremony at 6:30 PM on Friday, October 10, in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center. The class will also be publicly introduced at halftime of the October 11 Homecoming game against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
The 2025 Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame Class is comprised of seven former student-athletes representing six of the department's athletic programs as well as the first women's team(s) added to the Hall. Read about the newest members of this year's Hall of Fame class below.
Helle Leed (Modern Era Women's Golf)
Helle Leed arrived in Magnolia from Vallda Halland, Sweden, and wasted no time making her mark. With a relentless competitive edge and a game built on precision and poise, Leed became a cornerstone of the Mulerider Women's Golf program — and one of its most celebrated athletes.
From shattering long-standing records to breaking new ground on the national stage, Leed's career was defined by firsts, bests, and lasting impact. Her name remains etched across the SAU record books, a testament to a legacy that helped elevate Mulerider Golf to new heights.
Leed was a highly decorated athlete, named to the Great American Conference (GAC) All-Decade Team and earning three All-GAC honors, with a first-team nod in her final collegiate season of 2018. Leed became the first golfer in program history to qualify for the Division II Women's National Championship, as well as being a three-time Central Region Tournament Individual qualifier. She was also a five-time GAC Women's Golfer of the Week winner. During her time at SAU, Leed was one of two nominees from the GAC for the 2017-18 Woman of the Year award.
Leed also rewrote the record books, cementing her name in women's golf history at SAU. She set a 54-hole program record (+3, 219) at the 2018 Central Super Region Tournament and currently owns six single-season program records including scoring average (77.37; 2017-18), score versus par (5.59; 2017-18), rounds played (27; 2017-18), birdies (45; 2017-18), par-4 scoring (4.3625; 2017-18), and par-5 scoring (5.0551; 2017-18). She also holds the program record for the lowest round of 70, which she set in 2016-17 at the HSU Southern Bancorp invite. Finally, she owns the best 36-hole (144, E; NCAA DII Super Central Region) and 54-hole (219, +3; NCAA DII Super Central Region) scores in program history.
Barrett Renner (Modern Era Men's Football)
Some athletes leave their mark — others leave a legacy. For Barrett Renner, the southpaw quarterback from Rowlett, Texas, his time at Southern Arkansas University was nothing short of historic.
A four-year starter and the undeniable cornerstone of the Mulerider offense, Renner didn't just rack up stats — he rewrote the record books. With a combination of consistency, talent, and leadership, he set the standard for quarterback play in Magnolia and beyond, cementing his place as one of the most prolific players in SAU and Arkansas college football history.
A four-time All-GAC selection, which includes three nods on the league's first team, the southpaw currently holds seven career passing records, including attempts, completions, passing yards, completion percentage, and passing touchdowns. In terms of single-season records, his name sits atop six with additional seasons appearing in the top 5 of those records twenty times.
A multiple-time all-region and All-America performer in addition to being a regional nominee for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy in three consecutive seasons, Renner finished his career in the Mulerider Blue & Gold with 13,037 passing yards and 118 passing touchdowns, both of which rank second on the state of Arkansas' all-time collegiate passing lists and both program bests. After earning the honor in his redshirt freshman and senior seasons, Renner also became the first-ever two-time award recipient of the Auburn Smith Male Athlete of the Year award, the highest honor for any SAU Athlete.
Renner was the starting quarterback for the Muleriders in all four of his years wearing the Blue and Gold, as the Lone Star State native finished his career with a record of 31-15. Over his 46 games played at SAU, Renner became the program's leader for total offensive plays played in a career, which ended up being 1,883. In all four of his seasons as the field general, Renner passed for 3,000+ yards. In the 2016 campaign, Renner recorded a career-high 3,371 passing yards, which stands as the second-most in the program's history for a single season. Along with that, Renner has held the program record for passing touchdowns in a single season since his freshman year, when he recorded 33 touchdown passes. The Lone Star native broke his own record in his junior season with 35 touchdown passes.
Don Unamba (Modern Era Football)
From the moment he stepped into the confines of Wilkins Stadium, Don Unamba made it clear he was a force to be reckoned with. The Dallas, Texas native quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Mulerider defense, combining elite instincts with a relentless motor to become one of the most dominant defensive backs in program history.
His senior season capped a remarkable collegiate career, and his impact didn't stop there. Unamba parlayed his success at SAU into a professional career that spanned both the NFL and CFL, earning All-Star honors and becoming a respected veteran across the league. From Magnolia to stadiums across North America, Unamba's legacy is defined by excellence, consistency, and a reputation as a game-changer at every level.
As a senior, he delivered a standout season, recording 47 tackles, 3 interceptions, and tying a then-program record with 20 pass breakups — a performance that cemented his place among the elite in Mulerider Football. Throughout his career, Unamba became, and still is, the program's leader in passes defended after recording 48 during his four years in the Blue and Gold.
After his senior campaign, Unamba tallied four superlative awards as a Mulerider, which included being named 2012 First Team All-GAC, DHFC DII All-Super Region III First Team, DHFC DII All-America Third Team, and AFCA DII All-America First Team. The Lone Star native was also recognized by the Little Rock Touchdown Club following his 2012 senior campaign as being the team MVP for the Muleriders.
Following his college career, Unamba signed with the NFL's St. Louis Rams and later joined the Buffalo Bills. He went on to make a lasting impact in the Canadian Football League over eight seasons, suiting up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos, and Ottawa Redblacks. In 2018, he earned CFL All-Star and East Division All-Star honors with Hamilton, showcasing the talent and determination he first displayed as a Mulerider. During his career in the CFL, Unamba played 86 games across six seasons in the league for Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa. The Texas native recorded 240 career defensive tackles, 36 career special teams tackles, 13 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, six interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Andrew Whittington (Modern Era Baseball)
When Andrew Whittington stepped onto the diamond in Magnolia, he didn't just play — he produced, performed, and made history. The Texas City native quickly became one of the most decorated players in Mulerider Baseball history, stacking up accolades and rewriting the stat sheet during a blistering two-year run in the Blue & Gold.
A 2009 All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) first team selection (SS) as well as NCBWA All-American third team (UTL), NCBWA All-Region First team (SS), and Rawlings/ABCA All-Region First team (SS). Following his highly successful 2009 campaign, Whittington followed in 2010, racking up more awards. He was named yet again to the 2010 All-GSC first team (SS), CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team (SS), NCBWA All-Region First Team (SS), NCBWA All-America Third Team (INF), Rawlings/ABCA All-Region first team (SS), Rawlings/ABCA All-America third team (INF), and Daktronics/D2CCA All-Region first team (SS), and Daktronics/D2CCA All-American third team (INF).
During his two-year stint with the Muleriders, Whittington played in 120 total games and was a career 0.381 hitter. He totaled 478 total at-bats, 182 hits, 39 doubles, 160 runs scored, 132 RBIs, seven walks, while finishing his career with a 0.603 slugging percentage and 0.480 on-base percentage.
Whittington ranks second all-time at SAU and second in NCAA DII for triples in a season (14), sixth all-time in career double plays turned (68), and tenth all-time in runs scored (160). At the time of his playing,
The Lone Star native also boasted a highly impressive 37-game hit streak in his senior season. At the time, his 37-game streak was the longest in the Gulf South Conference. His record stood until the 2013 season, which saw Vincent Kortbawl best him by one game to set the new mark at 38 consecutive games with a hit.
After his career with the Muleriders, Whittington was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2010 MLB draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 991st overall pick.
Logan Williams (Modern Era Baseball)
Logan Williams arrived in Magnolia by way of the University of Mississippi, and it didn't take long for the Damascus, Arkansas native to make his presence felt in a Mulerider uniform. Over the course of just two seasons, Williams established himself as one of the most productive and decorated players in Mulerider Baseball history.
Williams was also a highly decorated athlete during his time with the Muleriders. During the 2010 campaign, Williams was named to the All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) First Team (1B), Daktronics/D2CCA All-Region First Team (1B), NCBWA All-America honorable mention (1B), NCBWA All-Region First Team (1B), and Rawlings/ABCA All-Region first team (1B).
In his final campaign with SAU in 2011, Williams was named All-GSC first team (3B), Daktronics/D2CCA All-Region second team (3B), NCBWA All-Region first team (1B), NCBWA All-America second team (3B), Rawlings/ABCA All-Region first team (1B), and Rawlings/ABCA All-America third team (3B). Williams was also named the Auburn Smith Athlete of the Year for the Muleriders, the highest honor an athlete can receive while playing at SAU.
During his two-year stint with the Muleriders, Williams posted highly impressive stats, including 102 games played, 110 runs scored, 395 at-bats, 145 hits, 24 doubles, 29 home runs, 148 RBIs, and 41 walks.
Williams also ranks sixth highest slugging percentage all-time (.668), ninth all-time in home runs (29), tenth all-time in RBI's (148), and fourth all-time in Sac Flies (16).
Phil Trotter (Golden Era Track & Field/Football)
Trotter, a two-time NAIA Track & Field All-American from Le Marque, Texas, was a true standout for Southern State College, leaving his mark in both Mulerider Track & Field and Football. Known for his versatility and relentless drive, Trotter excelled in multiple arenas, making history and setting records that would stand the test of time.
On the track, he was part of record-breaking relay teams that set the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference on fire, contributing to back-to-back conference championships. Off the track, Trotter's football skills as a talented tailback helped seal key victories.
Trotter's involvement with the Mulerider Track & Field team is one for the books, as the relay athlete was part of record-setting teams for the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. Trotter and his mile relay and 440-yard relay squads set both conference records in 1967, with Trotter being the first leg in both.
The relay team, which was composed of multiple SAU Sports Hall of Famers, recorded a time of 3:16.0 in the mile and 41.6 in the 440-yard relays. Both records ended up being reset the next season, but both by Southern State College teams, with Trotter on the 1968 440-yard relay squad. In that same season, Trotter and his 1600-meter medley relay teammates set the event's record at 3:25.50, which still stands today as a program record.
Not only were records broken during Trotter's years at SSC, but the Texas native was also a key part of the 1966 and 1967 Mulerider Track and Field squads that claimed the program's first and second Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles with back-to-back years of dominance.
While Trotter was dominant on the track, he also proved to be a talented tailback for Head Coach Auburn Smith on the Mulerider Football team. The Mulerider halfback had a standout game himself during the 1967 campaign contest with the Livingston State Tigers, now the West Alabama Tigers. Trotter put the final nail in the coffin against the Tigers with the Muleriders' final score of the evening coming on a 5-yard run for the score and the 25-0 lead. Southern State College went on to win that contest 25-7.
Lesa Ayers-Johnson (Golden Era Volleyball/Track & Field)
Hailing from Nacogdoches, Texas, Ayers-Johnson made her mark at Southern Arkansas University as a standout athlete in both Volleyball and Women's Track and Field. Throughout her four years as a student-athlete at SAU, she earned recognition for her contributions to both teams, solidifying her place as one of the university's top athletes during her time on campus.
Her volleyball career was highlighted by All-District honors and an AIC Championship, while her track accomplishments included multiple individual championships and breaking conference records. Ayers-Johnson's dedication to both sports made her a valuable member of the Mulerider athletic family, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and achievement.
In the 1987 and 1988 volleyball seasons, the Lone Star native was named to the NAIA's All-District 17 team, as well as making her way onto the All-AIC team in the 1988 season. Both campaigns for Mulerider Volleyball ended with success, with the '87 squad finishing in second place in the AIC after going 9-3 in conference and 27-9 overall. The following season, Mulerider Volleyball went on to claim its first AIC Championship as co-champs with Ouachita Baptist, with the pair going 11-1 in the league and the Muleriders finishing 23-8 overall. In the 1989 and 1990 volleyball seasons, Ayers-Johnson acted as a student assistant for SAU Sports Hall of Fame coaches, Dr. Ginger Hurst and Coach Michelle Shoppach, and as a graduate assistant under head coach Judy Bourne.
For her time on the Mulerider Women's Track and Field squad, Ayers-Johnson was a top performer for the group in the 1990 Arkansas Intercollege Conference Championship Meet, as the Nacogdoches native placed first in four respective events, which included a first-place finish in the 400-meter relay. The multi-event athlete also set new standards for the conference at the time, breaking the then 100-meter hurdles record with a time of 15.09. The 1990 All-AIC member also claimed individual championships for the long jump (18' 2") and the 400-meter hurdles (1:08.16). That 1990 season marked the first season for the Women's Track and Field program at Southern Arkansas University, and the team did not disappoint as the squad finished in second with just a 10-point deficit (144 points scored).
1975-76/76-77 Riderette Basketball Teams
The 1975-76/1976-77 Riderette Women's Basketball teams make history in this year's induction class as the first women's team(s) to be inducted into the Southern Arkansas University Hall of Fame.
The teams had an amazing and still unmatched two-year run led by their already inducted Hall of Fame coach, Dr. Margaret Downing, which saw the Riderettes compile a 40-7 overall record, going 20-4 in 1975-76, then following it up with a 20-3 overall record in 1976-77.
In 1975-76, the team saw a 20-4 season while finishing 15-1 in AWISA Conference play and winning the AWISA tournament championship. After winning the conference championship, the Riderettes advanced to the regional tournament, where they lost the first game of the tournament. The women then battled their way back to win the consolation bracket of the regional tournament, upsetting Oklahoma State en route to winning.
Four players from the team have also been previously inducted into the SAU Hall of Fame, including Sandra Haley Taylor, Rosemary Spigner Cloud, Janet Cooper Wood, and Sara Wooley.
The 1976-77 team then saw a 20-3 overall season while going 17-1 in AWISA play, finishing as the AWISA regular season co-champions and the AWISA tournament runner-up. Their second 20-win record tied the previous record set just a year earlier of 20 wins, which remains today. The team was ranked second in the AWISA for points per game (74.9) and defensive points per game (55).
Three women were also All-AWISA honorees after the season, including Janet Cooper, Rosemary Spigner, and Sara Wooley. The team also saw two 300-point scorers in Janet Cooper (371 points, 16.1 ppg, 23 games) and Rosemary Spigner (329 points, 14.3 ppg, 23 games).
1976-77 also saw the continuation of four consecutive AWISA titles spanning from 1973-77. Nine players played on both teams, and neither team finished lower than second place in the AWISA.
Team members to be inducted
*Denotes members of both teams
^ Denotes previous Hall of Fame inductee
1975-76
Coach: Dr. Margaret Downing*^
Rosalynn Landes
Jan Spigner
Holly Rockenbach Lamb
Clair Crumpler
Nancy Cotter
Stephanie Moore
Gracie Nichols
Dorothy Stevenson
Sara Wooley*^
Janet Cooper Wood*^
Karlene Coleman Hooker*
Rosemary Spigner Cloud*^
Sandra Haley Taylor*^
Pat Clark Smith*
Cindy Larey Mason*
Tina Cheatham*
Pam Young Bison*
Rachel Perdue Smith*
Nina Morgan*
Sharon Ross Ware
Mary 'Stick' Smith*
1976-77
Coach: Dr. Margaret Downing*
Kim Colvin Ward
Sheila Mayfield
Maomi Tyler Adkins
Phyllis McCollum Harmon
Mitzi Womack
Katrunia Lewis
Sara Wooley*^
Janet Cooper Wood*
Karlene Coleman Hooker*
Rosemary Spigner Cloud*^
Sandra Haley Taylor*^
Pat Clark Smith*
Cindy Larey Mason*
Tina Cheatham*
Pam Young Bison*
Rachel Perdue Smith*
Nina Morgan*
Vicki Henderson
Mary 'Stick' Smith*
