Murphy Lee makes his first visit to Cape Girardeau

Maybe Murphy Lee should give Southeast Missouri State's football team a pep talk before every game.

Lee, a noted recording artist and rapper from St. Louis who is a freshman at the university, served as the squad's honorary captain for Saturday's homecoming contest.

Prior to the game at Houck Stadium, Lee spoke to the team in the locker room, as he related with a smile at halftime.

"I hollered at 'em before the game," Lee said. "I told them to win."

And Southeast produced just its second victory of the season, 35-7 over Tennessee-Martin.

Said coach Tim Billings: "He pretty well told us to go out and win, to do your thing. We were glad to have him here. He's welcome back any time."

Lee participated in the pregame coin toss and spent the contest on Southeast's sideline. Before the game and at halftime, he signed autographs for fans and posed for pictures as he genuinely seemed to be enjoying what he said was his first visit to Cape Girardeau.

"It's cool," he said. "I'm having a good time."

Lee, 22, is currently taking just one online class through the university -- introduction to criminal justice -- as he fits academics into his busy schedule. But he said he's serious about ultimately earning a degree and also has his sights set on attending law school.

"It's important to go to school. I tell people that, and I've got to set an example," he said. "Get an education. Do all you can do."

Said Linda Keena, who teaches the class Lee is taking: "It's extremely difficult for a freshman to take an online course because you have to learn all the technology. But he is so serious about his education. What has been enjoyable is his enthusiasm and his quest for knowledge."

Keena said that, like traditional students, Lee has reading assignments and homework to complete on various deadlines. Because of his rigorous schedule that includes plenty of travel, he often does his class work from his hotel on the road, and when home he often does his assignments in the middle of the night after he's finished in the studio.

"It's tough, but I get it done," said Lee, who indicated that one of the reasons he chose to enroll at Southeast is the university's availability of online classes and the fact a degree can actually be obtained through Southeast online.

Added Keena: "He's very self disciplined, and I think it's pretty evident that whatever he puts his mind to, he can do it. He's very bright, and he's a workaholic."