LINCOLN -- Six Northwest Arkansas players and coaches will be inducted into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame in December.
According to a press release from Lincoln's minor league football team, Northwest Arkansas Battle; Jason Campbell, James Burkhart, Bobby Watson, Wayne Hall, Darrin Pendergraft and Scott Wilmouth will be inducted during a banquet on Dec. 5 at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
Jason Campbell (Player)
Campbell was born and raised in Nebraska, where he started playing high school football. He was a multi-purpose player as a defensive back, kicker and running back initially recruited by the Nebraska Cornhuskers but instead signed and played for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
After graduation from the University of Arkansas, Campbell began his minor league career and has played with the Arkansas War Cats, Arkansas Warriors and since 2013 with the Northwest Arkansas Battle. This year he recorded 3 interceptions in a Central League game setting a new Minor League Football new record with 111 career interceptions and snapped the previous record of 110 set by Mark Arcure of the legendary Scranton Penn. Eagles. Arcure played for the Eagles from 1983 to 1996.
"His teammates refer to him as 'Mr.Interception' as he now has more interceptions than any player in the history of the game to step on a football field," said Burkhart, NWA Battle coach/owner who nominated Campbell.
James Burkheart (Player/Team Owner/League Commissioner)
Burkheart played 11 season from 1986 through 1996 as a linebacker in Arkansas. He returned in 2004 for a final season as a lineman at age 40 with Benton County (Arkansas) Saints. He became the owner of the team which played in the Central Football League 2004-2005. He also owned and operated the Arkansas Panthers/War Cats 2006-2011 in World League/Alliance Football League.
Burkeheart was Commissioner for the Alliance League 2010-2011 and Central Football League 2014. Burkheart said he is proud that his team has started and finished every season since 2004 and have never forfeited a game, which he attributes to the quality and determination of his coaches and players. Burkheart was nominated by the Hall of Fame staff.
Bobby Watson (Player/Coach)
Bobby Watson began his career with the Benton County Saints as a linebacker in 2004. He stayed with the organization during their change to the Arkansas War Cats in 2007 and finished his playing career in 2008.
According to Burkheart, Wilson was a fierce linebacker and remains the organization's all time leader in tackles (483) and sacks (19). He also hold the organizations season high tackle record in 2006 with 118 tackles and 8 sacks. Wilson is currently a linebackers coach with the Northwest Arkansas Battle. He was nominated by Burkheart, a fellow member of the Class of 2014.
Wayne Hall (Player/Coach)
Hall started his career with the Arkansas War Cats in 2007 and retired with the Northwest Arkansas Battle in 2013. According to the press release, during his career Hall rushed for 5,235 yards and scored 55 touchdowns with a career high 1087 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns in 2009. He rushed for 100 yards or more in 19 games. As a kick returner he amassed 3,082 yards and scored 8 touchdown. Hall was selected as the Minor League Football Running Back of the Year in 2008.
Hall is currently assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Battle. He was nominated by Burkheart.
Darrin Pendergraft (Player) and Scott Wilmouth (Player)
Pendergraft and Wilmouth each played offensive guard with both the Arkansas Warriors from 2005 through 2011 and played two more years when the Warriors merged with the Northwest Arkansas Battle in 2012 hanging up their cleats for good in 2013.
In 2011 they both were part of an offensive line that helped the Warriors compile a 11-0 record before eventually falling 21-20 in the Central Football League championship. Their offensive line was selected as "Players of the Week" by the Minor League Football News on several occasions.
"They spent many hours mentoring younger players, contributing to the game and were a compliment to Minor League Football," said Burkheart in submitting their nominations.
The Minor League Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 in Las Vegas, Nev. As a registered non profit corporation. According to their website, a portion of all proceeds are donated to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Dick Suess is director of the Las Vegas Hall of Fame which is governed by a board of directors: Jon Gifford (N.Y.), Ray Powell (Texas), James Sanders (Kansas), Ken Blankenship (Utah/Montana), Robert James (Virginia), and Rob Esquibel (Colorado/Wyoming).
Sports on 07/23/2014