McNeese State University Athletics

One of the top linebackers to ever perform for the Blue and Gold, Dr. Daryl Burckel earned all-conference and all-Louisiana honors and was named the winner of the spirit award for the 1980 Independence Bowl game.

A team captain, he was also named the Cowboys’ defensive player of the year that season. In his final two years as the starting middle linebacker for the Cowboys, he helped the squad win two league titles, post an undefeated regular season record and participate in two Independence Bowl games.

He went on to earn his masters and Ph.D.

In the summer of 2017, he was named as the seventh president of McNeese State University.