CAPE GIRARDEAU - One of Dexter and Southeast Missouri’s most memorable and successful athletes and coaches will be inducted into he Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Athletics 2011 Hall of Fame.

Dexter native, athlete and coach Tom Thrower will be among five individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame in ceremonies later this year.

Thrower attended Southeast and played football, basketball, track and field from 1958-1960.

While at Southeast, he was a two-time All-MIAA performer at three positions (running back, defensive back, special teams) in football. He led the conference in rushing with 7.5 yards per carry in 1959. He was the 1958 MIAA Conference Champion in the javelin, as well.

Thrower was his team's top punter and punt returner, third-leading scorer and third-leading receiver. He returned to Southeast to become an assistant football coach under Kenneth Knox and was later hired as head coach. Thrower compiled a 37-22-2 (.607) career record with three MIAA Championships (1968, 1969, 1973).

He went on to coach at Dexter High School, leading a “golden era” of Bearcat football with the likes of Jim Bland, David Lee, 'Tank' Miller, Don Jones and others in the 1960s.  He returned to DHS as the head football coach in the late 70's as well.

Others named the 2011 Class for the Hall of Fame include John "Hap" Bernard (basketball, football, baseball, 1908 to 1913), Greg Brune (football, baseball, 1964 to 1968), Bobby Ferguson (track & field, 1983 to 1986), Jeremy Johnson (baseball, 1996 to 2000), as well as the 1991 softball team.

(Photo provided by Southeast Missouri State University Sports Information Office)