Hall of Fame

Alvin Ashley

  • Class
    1994
  • Induction
    2016
  • Sport(s)


Alvin Ashley was a two-sport standout at Southwest State University from 1990 to 1994 excelling in both football and basketball for the Mustangs.  A native of Fort Myers, Florida, Ashley finished his football career with 252 receptions for 4,335 yards and 59 touchdowns, all three of which are still school records.  His 59 career receiving touchdowns is still an NAIA national record.  Along with his seven scores on two-point conversions, he ended his four-year career recording a school record 392 career points, 174 more than the second place individual.

Ashley earned first team NAIA All-America honors in both 1992 and 1993, while he was an honorable mention NAIA All-America in 1991.  He was a second team AP Little All-America in 1991 and earned all-conference accolades all four seasons of his career.

Ashley still holds more than 20 single-game, single-season or career records at SMSU, including single-game records for receiving yards (320 vs. Minot State, 1991), touchdowns (six vs. Michigan Tech, 1993) and all-purpose yards (397 vs. Minot State, 1991).

In 1991, Ashley set an NAIA single season record with 21 touchdown receptions while also setting a conference record with 13 receiving touchdowns.  In 1992, Ashley tied for the NAIA receiving title (9.0 receptions/game) and ranked third in scoring (9.7).

Following his senior season in 1993, Ashley became the first ever SMSU player to play in the Snow Bowl, an all-star game for NCAA Division II players.  He then spent 10 seasons in the Arena Football League where he still is among the all-time leaders in kickoff returns, combined returns, kickoff return yards, combined return yards, all-purpose yards, receptions, receiving touchdowns, receiving yards and points scored.

Ashley also played basketball for three seasons (1990-91, 92-94) scoring 692 career points in 69 career games, while also racking up 224 rebounds, 179 assists and 114 steals.

Ashley’s high school jersey was retired for football at Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida., in fall of 1995 and he was inducted into the SMSU Hall of Honor in 2007.

Ashley lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with his wife Stephanie, they have two children Shaunteva (Ashley) Pruett and Taylen. Ashley has worked for Frito Lay Corp for the last seven years as a Route Sales Rep and has coached football with Dakota State University, Sioux Falls Storm along with a few AFL teams. Alvin currently coaches in the South Dakota Junior Football League and on his son’s traveling basketball team .