Members of only one Missouri Southern football team can boast they won the MIAA, made the playoffs and defeated Pittsburg State University in the same season – the 1993 Lions.

Members of that team once again took center stage during halftime of the Oct. 9 game against Northwest Missouri State University at Hughes Stadium when they were honored for their conference championship.

“We like to bring back our championship teams, and we felt this was the right time to honor this 1993 team,” said Sallie Beard, athletic director. “It’s part of us continuing our tradition of winning. The 1993 squad had great team chemistry and some outstanding athletes who worked together for common goals.”

The 1993 Lions went 9-0-1 overall, 9-0 in MIAA play and went on to make the first round of the playoffs, the only team to do so since Southern entered the MIAA in 1989.

The squad featured three players who went on to play in the National Football League. Wide receivers Rod Smith and James Thrash entered the NFL as rookie free agents, and linebacker Richard Jordan was drafted in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions in 1997.

Jordan, the highest-drafted player in Southern history, said he was excited to come back to the stadium where he made a name for himself by menacing opposing ballcarriers.

“I’m sweating,” Jordan said. “It’s an adrenaline rush. They started playing the national anthem (before the game), and I just got goose bumps. It’s great sitting here with the guys and watching these younger guys carry on the torch, carry on that Missouri Southern tradition.”

Jordan retired from the NFL in 2002 and still resides in Detroit. Former Southern head coach John Lantz said talent mixed with good chemistry is what made the 1993 squad special.

“First of all, we had a lot of ability on that team and a lot of good players,” Lantz said. “We had three players go on to the NFL. So that indicates the level of athletes we had. We were all a unit, and we paid the price, and it was great to see it all come together in 1993. Those are some good memories.”

Lantz roamed Southern’s sideline from 1989-97.

Smith is in his 10th season with the Denver Broncos, where he has been named to two Pro Bowls and has won two Super Bowl rings.

Thrash is currently with the Washington Redskins, where he played from 1997-2002, and he spent 2001-2003 on the Philadelphia Eagles’ squad.

Neither Smith nor Thrash could attend the event because of Sunday games.

Former running back Albert Bland said he was excited to come back to Hughes Stadium.

“It’s hard for me because I want to get out there and play, but it’s great to get out here with all the guys,” Bland said. “With the unit we had, the coaches didn’t have to tell us to do things. We disciplined ourselves. We were a family because we did everything together and that showed on the field. “

Bland, who still holds several Southern rushing records, said he was impressed with what he saw in this year’s team.

“I think with the guys being that young, with a true freshman quarterback (Nathan Emert) and a sophomore running back (Wentric Williams) doing what they’ve done this early in their careers, this team could go 11-0 instead of 9-0-1 like we did,” Bland said.