Article Courtesy: Paul Letlow/ULM L Club
MONROE, La. -- The ULM L Club's Hall of Fame welcomes three new members this fall and the newest selections will join the Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The 2014 class includes Stepfret Williams and Mike Grantham from football and Roger Mann from track and field.
“As president of the L Club, I would like to personally congratulate the inductees,” L Club president Blair Michel said. “As president, I would also like to congratulate the ULM L Club Board on making a decision to bring forward this fine class. The process of making these elections is not simple as there are so many fine athletes to choose from within our rich athletic history at ULM. The L Club Board has worked closely with the Alumni Association to facilitate both contact as well as record keeping of past athletes and that has made the process much easier.”
Induction festivities take place at 10 a.m. on the seventh floor of the ULM library and bring total membership in the Hall to more than 200.
Mann was coached by the legendary Bob Groseclose and came up big when it counted most. A three-time NAIA All-American, Mann won eight Gulf States Conference titles including three in the 120-yard hurdles, three as a member of the 400m relay team, one in the 330-yard hurdles and one in the 400m hurdles. He holds the school record in the 330-yard hurdles at 36.6 seconds set the GSC record in the 120-yard hurdles at 13.7 seconds and the 400m relay at 40.3 seconds. On a bigger stage, he placed second in the NAIA National College Championships in the 120-yard hurdles and tied for the fifth-fastest time in the world in the 120-yard hurdles at 13.4 seconds. Mann was named co-captain his senior year and competed in the 1968 Olympic trials.
Williams was a record-smashing wide receiver from Minden who still holds ULM career records in receiving yards (3,177) and touchdown receptions (33). A first team all-conference player in 1993 (Southland), 1994 (1-A Independent) and 1995 (1-A Independent), Williams wrapped his four-year career with 16 100-yard receiving games, including six during the 1994 season. Williams enjoyed a monster senior season with 66 catches for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1995.
Grantham earned First-Team All-America honors from the Associated Press in 1983 and 1984. The versatile four-year letter winner for the football program played offensive line at both the guard and tackle and also earned First-Team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors as a senior in 1984. Grantham was part of the 1982 team, in its first season in the Southland Conference, that finished in second place and the 1983 squad that claimed a share of the SLC crown with a 5-1 league mark. In all, teams he played for at ULM won 28 games.
Induction ceremonies are part of a big overall weekend featuring a ULM home football game against Texas State.
“The L Club has created a wonderful weekend for the induction,” Michel said. “It will begin with the Hall of Fame golf tournament which is open to the public as well as all L Club members. After the ceremony an L Club tailgate reception will be held on the Tailgate Terrace of Malone Stadium.”
Hall of Fame weekend festivities kickoff with the annual golf tournament at Chennault Golf Course on Friday, Oct. 24. The tournament is a 4-man scramble with a 12:30 shotgun start.
After the induction on Saturday, the L-Club and returning Hall of Famers will enjoy a “football casual” reception in the L Club tents located in the South end zone of Malone Stadium before watching the Warhawks kickoff against Texas State at 6 p.m. The newest inductees will be recognized at halftime.
Individual tickets to the induction will be available at the Alumni Center for $25 per person or reserve a table of eight for $175. Contact Nancy Davis at 1-866-WARHAWK (866-927-4295) or (318) 342-5421 to purchase or hold tickets.
The Hall of Fame Golf Tournament is a four-man scramble at Chennault Park. Lunch is 11 a.m. with a putting contest prior to the 12:30 shotgun start. Cost is $300.00 per team and $75 for individual players (to be paired with a team). Contact Ronnie Dowling at rdowling@lacapfcu.org or call 318-450-8244 for more information.
2014 L-Club Hall of Fame Inductees:
STEPFRET WILLIAMS (1992-95)
Holds career records in receiving yards (3,177) and touchdown receptions (33). Named first team all-conference in 1993 (Southland), 1994 (1-A Independent) and 1995 (1-A Independent). Minden product finished four-year career with 16 100-yard receiving games, including six during the 1994 season. Tallied 264 receiving yards against Nevada in 1995, a record that still stands. Also holds five other spots in the top-50 all-time receiving games. Third-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1995.
ROGER MANN (1965-68)
Won eight Gulf States Conference titles including three in the 120-yard hurdles, three as a member of the 400m relay team, one in the 330-yard hurdles and one in the 400m hurdles… Three-time NAIA All-American… Set the GSC record in the 120-yard hurdles at 13.7 seconds and the 400m relay at 40.3 seconds… Placed second in the NAIA National College Championships in the 120-yard hurdles and tied for the fifth-fastest time in the world in the 120-yard hurdles at 13.4 seconds… holds the school record in the 330-yard hurdles at 36.6 seconds… competed in the 1968 Olympic trials… named co-captain his senior year… His team finished second in the Gulf States Conference all three years he was there... Coached by the legendary Bob Groseclose
MIKE GRANTHAM (1981-84)
Versatile four-year letter winner for the football program played offensive line at both the guard and tackle … Named First-Team All-American by the Associated Press in 1983 and 1984… Also earned First-Team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors as a senior in 1984… Teams he played for posted a combined win total of 28 games… The 1982 team, in its first season in the Southland Conference, finished in second place and the 1983 squad claimed a share of the SLC crown with a 5-1 league mark.
Tickets Individual tickets will be available at the Alumni Center for $25 per person or reserve a table of eight for $175. Contact Nancy Davis at 1-866-WARHAWK (866-927-4295) or (318) 342-5421 to purchase or hold tickets.
L Club Hall of Fame Induction Track standout Roger Mann and football's Stepfret Williams and Mike Grantham will enter the ULM L-Club Hall of Fame with induction ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the ULM Conference Center, located on the 7th floor of the University Library.
L Club Hall of Fame Golf Tournament The Hall of Fame Golf Tournament is a four-man scramble at Chennault Park on Friday, Oct. 24. Lunch is 11 a.m. with a putting contest prior to the 12:30 shotgun start. Cost is $300.00 per team and $75 for individual players (to be paired with a team). Contact Ronnie Dowling at
rdowling@lacapfcu.org or call 318-450-8244 for more information.
