June 2, 2007

LAKE CHARLES-- Former Athletics Director Sonny Watkins was honored here Saturday night with a "roast" in the Cowboy Club Room with many friends and colleagues in attendance.

Head athletic trainer Jim Murphy served as the Master of Ceremonies. Guest speackers included sports information director Louis Bonnette, McNeese State president Dr. Robert Hebert, Senator James Cain, Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett, former Stephen F. Austin athletics director Steve McCarty, McNeese State's senior woman administrator Bridget Martin, local businessmen Jack Hebert and Jim Schooler, former Cowboy athletes David Poche' and Kent Andrews and Watkins' son Johnny.

The event included a speech by all the guest speakers and a speech by Watkins to end the event.

Watkins spent 26 years at McNeese State's as a player, coach and athletic director. During his stint as athletic directory, McNeese won 12 conference championships and won the Southland Conference all-sports trophy in 2001-2002. He served on the NCAA 1-AA football selection committee and on the SLC committee for championships and officiating.

In 2004 he was recognized as one of the top athletic directors in the nation by the All-American Football Foundation.