Southeastern Louisiana University has named Kaleb Proctor and Hallie Burns as the 2025-26 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively. Proctor, a football player and native of Oak Grove, is the fifth football student-athlete to receive this honor. Burns, from Booneville, Miss., continues the trend of softball players dominating the female athlete award, marking the fifth consecutive year a softball athlete has won. Both athletes will be recognized at the North Oaks Health System Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet on Sept. 11. Proctor is notable for his accolades, including being a consensus All-American and NFL draft pick, while Burns led her team to an NCAA Tournament berth.

By the Numbers
  • Proctor led the Southland Conference with 8 sacks and was named Southland Conference Player of the Year.
  • Burns posted a record of 20-5 with a 1.68 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 112.2 innings pitched.
State of Play
  • SLU Athletics has been consistently recognizing outstanding athletes, with an increasing trend in accolades for football and softball.
  • The upcoming Hall of Fame Banquet will honor the 2026 class and the 1976 football team.
What's Next

Expect Proctor and Burns to be celebrated widely in the upcoming banquet, setting a positive tone for SLU Athletics in the upcoming year. Their performance may inspire future recruits and current athletes at the university.

Bottom Line

The recognition of Proctor and Burns underscores the exceptional talent at Southeastern Louisiana University, particularly in football and softball, and highlights the university's commitment to fostering athletic excellence.