David Williams, a 6-foot-6 senior swingman on Southern University’s 1981 basketball team, has quite a little project going.
Saturday afternoon, when the Jaguars host Alcorn State in the F.G. Clark Activity Center, Williams and his ’81 teammates will be recognized as the first SU squad to earn an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.
Most of the guys will be there, said Williams, who’s spearheading an event that will include a dinner, a brief history of the team and an introduction of the players.
But a few players are still missing, Williams said. He’s asking that if you know someone who played on that ’81 team, pass along their names, or have them check out www.su81champs.org.
That’s right: These guys have their own website.
The ’81 team, coached by SU legend Carl Stewart (and assistant Roger Cador), was picked to finish fifth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference that season. But the Jaguars ran the table at the SWAC tournament in the Riverside Centroplex, earning a trip to Wichita, Kan., for an NCAA first-round game against Wichita State.
The Shockers, led by future NBA players Antoine Carr and Cliff Levingston, dropped Southern 95-70.
Even if you don’t know anyone from the ’81 team — or, for that matter, even if you’re not old enough to remember 1981 — it really is worth checking out the website. They’ve got old photos, a media guide and several clips from your favorite local newspaper.
Thanks Perryn for putting our information out there. The 81 team looks back and realize we played during an outstanding era of Southern basketball, not only did the men’s team win during the 81 season but the women’s team was pretty good as well and played LSU in the NCAA tournament if I am not mistaken. Over a four year period I had the opportunity to play with seven NBA draft choices (I am number eight), the nation leader scorer (Tony Murphy), probably the best point guard to wear the blue and gold (Tommy Green), sorry Avery, probably the best small forward in SU legacy(Frankie ‘J’ Sanders), play for Louisiana legendary coach in Carl Stewart, coached by one of the greatest coaches in SU history (Roger Cador) and then play on two SWAC championship teams (78 team when 26-2; 81 team when 17-11), all of this a group of outstanding ball players from Texas, California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Mississippi and Louisiana. The 81 team was the crowning moment for a great career at Southern, I am looking forward to Saturday night in the Mini-Dome even if I am the only one to show up!!!!