Wayne Hawkins was an All-America athlete at SMSU in both football and track. A 1992 NFL draft pick of the New England Patriots, Hawkins was one of the most decorated football players in SMSU history holding several school records and earning numerous post-season awards.
As a senior in 1991, he had one of the best season’s an individual football player could have as he set an NAIA record with 126 receptions for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns and had one kickoff return for a score. He finished the year with 134 points, which ranks second in school history.
Hawkins, a native of St. Anthony, Minn., helped lead SMSU to a school record 9-1 season in 1991 and was named first team all-conference, first team NAIA All-America, first team AP Little All-America and Kodak College Division I All-America. He also played in both the Kelly Tire Blue-Gray All-Star Classic and East-West Shrine Football Classic, becoming the first SMSU player to play in either game, which has rosters that are usually dominated by NCAA Division I players.
Hawkins was an honorable mention NAIA All-America in 1990 ranking sixth in the country in receiving while in 1989 he finished the year ranked fifth in the nation in receiving. He ranks second in school history in both career receiving yards (2,992) and receptions (248) and is third in career touchdowns (28). He also is tied for the school single-game record with six touchdowns (vs. Northern State, 1991) and receptions with 19 (vs. Peru State, Neb., 1991).
Following his career at SMSU, he was selected in the seventh round of the 1992 National Football League draft by the New England Patriots becoming only the second SMSU player to ever be drafted by an NFL team.
On the track, he was a 1991 NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters and was a 1991 NAIA Indoor All-America in the 60-yard dash. In 1990, he was an NAIA Outdoor All-America in both the 100 and 200 meters. He also was the NIC champion in both the 100 and 200 meters in both 1990 and 1991 and earned all-conference honors both years. Hawkins was honored by his peers in both 1990 and 1991 as he was voted SMSU Student-Athlete of the Year.
Hawkins and his wife Kari have been married for 15 years and have five children. Hawkins still works for the commercial cleaning company he began 17 years ago along with dabbling in other entrepreneurial ventures.