July 19, 2018

RUSTON, La. -- Louisiana Tech Athletics will honor the first 50 years of Joe Aillet Stadium when the Bulldogs host Southern Sept. 8 in the home opener.

As part of the celebration of the half century of action in the stadium, Louisiana Tech will honor the Top 50 Bulldog players to compete at Joe Aillet Stadium as chosen by a combination of fan voting and a committee comprised of former players, coaches and administrators.

Thirty-two of the 50 were part of the All-Century Team released in 2001 while an additional 18 were added through a vote by Bulldog fans and released in early June.

The makeup of the group includes 28 offensive players, 17 defensive players and 5 specialists. Each decade of the stadium's existence is also well-represented in the prestigious group, including 20 Bulldogs from the first 10 years, seven from the next decade, eight from the third decade, six from the fourth decade and nine from the fifth decade (with some crossover on careers).

Season tickets are currently on sale while single game tickets will go on sale Aug. 1. The Bulldogs host five home games this year, including Conference USA match-ups against WKU, UAB, Rice and UTEP. Tickets can be purchased by calling 318-257-3631, emailing techtickets@latech.edu or logging onto LATechSports.com/tickets.

Stories pertaining to some of the greatest games, moments and players in Joe Aillet Stadium history will be released on LATechSports.com leading up to the Sept. 8 opener against Southern. Here is information about some of the accomplishments of the second 10 of the 50 (alphabetically) greatest players in the history of Joe Aillet Stadium.

Some of the promotions surrounding the Southern game include postgame fireworks, Faith and Family Day, Legends Day and the Loyal Blue Out. Stay tuned to LATechSports.com for more details over the next two months.

• Member of the 2011 Western Athletic Conference champions

• Member of the 2011 Poinsettia Bowl team

• 1st team All-WAC

• 2012 WAC Offensive Player of the Year

• 2012 Sammy Baugh Award recipient

• Davey O’Brien Award finalist

• Japanese X-League Rookie of the Year (2014) and MVP (2016)

• 2-time All-American

• Member of the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Southland Conference champions

• Member of 1972 and 1973 National Championship teams

• 1972 Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year

• Member of the Southland Conference’s All-Decade Team (1970s)

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100 Year Anniversary Team

• Drafted 1st round by Baltimore Colts (1974)

• 10-year NFL career

• LA Tech Hall of Famer

• 2-time All-Southland Conference selection

• Member of the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Southland Conference champions

• Member of 1972 and 1973 National Championship teams

• Member of the Southland Conference’s All-Decade Team (1970s)

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100 Year Anniversary Team

• Holds school record for interceptions in game and single season

• All-American

• 1st team All-Independent

• Drafted in the 4th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars (2000)

• 1-year NFL career

• 1st team All-Southland Conference

• Member of the 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 Southland Conference champions

• Member of the 1972, 1973 and 1974 National Championship teams

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100-Year Anniversary Team

• 3-time All-American

• 1972 & 1974 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year

• Member of the 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 Southland Conference champions

• Member of the 1972, 1973 and 1974 National Championship teams

• Member of the Southland Conference’s All-Decade Team (1970s)

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100-Year Anniversary Team

• Drafted 2nd round by San Diego Chargers (1975)

• 11-year NFL career

• 2-time Super Bowl champion (XVI, XIX)

• Pro Football Hall of Fame

• College Football Hall of Fame

• LA Tech Hall of Fame

• Freshman All-American

• 4-time all-conference

• 2012 WAC Freshman of the Year

• Member of the Heart of Dallas and New Orleans Bowl champions

• Named MVP of the New Orleans Bowl

• Program record holder in rushing yards, rushing TD, total TDs and points

• NCAA record holder for most rushing TD by a freshman (27), most points scored by a freshman (168), most TD scored by a freshman (28) and most career games scoring a TD (38)

• Drafted in the 4th round by the Baltimore Ravens (2016)

• 3-year NFL career (current)

• All-American

• 1982 Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year

• Member of the Southland Conference’s All-Decade Team (1980s)

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100-Year Anniversary Team

•14-year CFL career

• 2-time Grey Cup champion

•Canadian Football Hall of Fame

• LA Tech Hall of Fame

• Member of the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Southland Conference champions

• Member of the 1972 and 1973 National Championship teams

• 1973 Southland Offensive Player of the Year

• 2-time All-Southland Conference

• Signed with the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League

• LA Tech Hall of Fame

• All-American

• 1998 Biletnikoff Award Winner

• 2-time All-Independent selection

• NCAA Division I record for most receiving yards in a game (405 vs. Nebraska)

• Member of the LA Tech Football 100-Year Anniversary Team

• Drafted 1st round by Pittsburgh Steelers (1999)

• 7-year NFL career

• LA Tech Hall of Fame