SCOOBA – Two football stars from East Mississippi Community College’s past have been inducted into the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Sports Hall of Fame – Ken Waddell Sr. and Don Edwards. They were among 30 people honored April 22 during a ceremony at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson.
Ken Waddell Sr. was a student at then-East Mississippi Junior College from 1956 to 1958 – but he became a starter on the Lions football team while he was still a senior at Kemper County Agricultural High School. He made the Junior College All-State Team while a senior in high school, and again in both his freshman and sophomore years in at EMJC. During his sophomore year, Waddell was named the team's Most Valuable Player. He played in the East/West All-American Bowl in Stockton, Calif., and was a Junior College All-American.
Waddell later attended the University of Tennessee, where he became starting wingback and defensive back. He was the leading pass receiver for the Volunteers in 1960. In 1961 Waddell signed with the Minnesota Vikings. After a brief stint with the pros, Ken returned to EMJC as an assistant coach. In 1962 and 1963 he helped coach the Lions to victories in the Magnolia and Hospitality bowls.
Don Edwards threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns in his first start for East Mississippi Junior College in 1960. During his 1961 sophomore season, Edwards was named to the Wigham All-American Team, was one of three Mississippians named to the Williamson Rating All-American team, led the nation in punting and field goals, was third in total offense, sixth in passing, ninth in scoring and played in the Albuquerque, N.M., All-American game.
Edwards was All-State, captain and MVP of the 1961 Lions – leading his team to an 8-2 season and the Hospitality Bowl championship. Edwards spent three years at Mississippi State University, becoming the Bulldog starting quarterback in 1964. In a nationally televised game against Ole Miss in 1964, Don threw a touchdown pass, tied as leading rusher and led MSU to its first victory over the Rebels in 18 years.
