June 9, 2008

Three members of the McNeese State University athletic department were honored during the recent All-American Football Foundation banquet in Dallas.

Senior associate athletic director Louis Bonnette, associate athletic director and senior women's administrator Bridget Martin and assistant compliance officer Penny Brown were honored.

Bonnette, now in his 42nd year as the sports information director at McNeese, was presented the Elmore "Scoop" Hudgins SID award. The late Hudgins was a longtime SID at Vanderbilt and also served with the Southeastern Conference.

Martin received recognition for her performance as the women's administrator at McNeese and Brown was recognized for her longtime service as a secretary with the athletic department.

Also presented awards during the banquet were LSU football coach Les Miles, the national champion Tiger football team and all-American Glenn Dorsey and Ray Jeandron of the Sugar Bowl.

Lynn Hickey, the athletic director at UT San Antonio, was one of two to receive the Gen. Robert Neyland outstanding athletic director award.

Lydell Wilson, head coach at Class AAAA state champion Lamar Consolidated in Texas, was one of three prep head coaches recognized. Assistant coaches on his staff are former McNeese players Pat Matthews and Charlie Ayro.

The All-American Football Foundation uses its proceeds for scholarships and lists almost every university in the nation as a member of its organization.

Louis Bonnette (second from right) was awarded the Scoop Hudgins SID award during the All-American Football Foundation banquet in Dallas recently. Also picking up awards were Coach Lydell Wilson of Lamar Consolidated High and Rodney Bush (right), SID at Texas Southern. Also pictured is Southland Conference commissioner Tom Burnett.