THE LATEST LINE: DEMENT SET TO ENTER FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

The big day -- and a well-deserved one to be sure -- is just about here for former Southeast Missouri State University All-American Kenneth Dement, who in late May was one of six former collegiate standouts named for enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Dement, an offensive and defensive tackle for the Indians from 1951-54, was drafted by the New York Giants but instead fulfilled a commitment to the United States Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of captain. He later became an attorney.

Currently living in Sikeston, Dement will be enshrined during ceremonies Friday and Saturday at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.

And what an honor that is going to be. As SEMO president Dr. Dale Nitzschke pointed out, it's an honor that may never again be duplicated by someone from the university.

Dement is the first player from a Missouri college other than the University of Missouri to be selected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He is one of only 657 players out of over three million men who have played the game to be chosen for induction.

During his four-year career at SEMO, Dement played almost every minute of every game. He earned several All-American honors and was the first SEMO player ever drafted by an NFL team.

Dement will be honored in Cape Girardeau Sept. 26 during halftime of the SEMO vs. Tennessee-Martin game at Houck Stadium. That day, representatives from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will be on hand for presentations to Dement and SEMO.

Anybody who has ever had anything to do with SEMO -- or simply followed the school's football team -- can take special pride in the fact that one of their own will forever be remembered as being among college football's all-time greats.

But nobody will be feeling any more pride next weekend than Dement himself, who by all accounts was one of the toughest and best football players -- and also one of the most outstanding citizens -- that this area has produced.

* Another former SEMO All-American, Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson, is off to another strong start for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders.

Anderson, SEMO's all-time leading rusher who completed his eligibility in 1994, is second in CFL rushing through five games, with 302 yards (5.1 average).

The New Madrid County Central High product gained more than 1,000 yards in each of his previous two CFL seasons and appears to be headed there again.

* Things are definitely heating up on the area football scene, with SEMO and all the local high schools just about ready to begin practice for the upcoming season.

SEMO welcomed its newcomers over the weekend, with the veterans reporting Monday and full-squad, two-a-day workouts set to begin Wednesday.

High school practice (for all sports, not just football) officially kicks off Monday, two days earlier than usual, which no doubt pleases all the area coaches.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian