J.P. Hackney (1970) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

J.P. Hackney

Induction:
1970

   J.P. (Noonie) Hackney was an outstanding back for Southern Miss in the late 1920s and his running and throwing ability made him one of the school's most versatile and exciting athletes of the early era.
   Hackney played fullback during the early part of his career, before making the move to quarterback, where he spent the remainder of his career.
   What made Hackney so outstanding on offense and defense was his speed and quickness and the wonderful natural instincts he had for the game. He had the speed and strength to break away from tacklers and then outrun everyone else to the end zone, had a soft passing touch that enabled him to make big plays and on defense was a punishing tackler against the run and his pass defense made opposing offenses look away from him.
   Hackney began his career in 1926 for Coach Herschel Bobo. At first they had him playing fullback and in the defensive backfield . Later in the season he switched to quarterback and help lead the team to some key victories down the stretch.
   That 1926 team finished the year with a 3-4-1 record and Hackney certainly made his share of big plays to win games that year.
   The 1927 edition of the Southern Miss football team would once again find Hackney at quarterback and defensive back, and with a year of experience under his belt, played even better than he had the year before. Although the team would finish with a second straight 3-4-1 record Hackney had started to develop into one of the best all around players on team.
   William B. Saunders took over as the new coach in 1928, but although several changes were made Hackney remained the team's quarterback and leader. In fact he served as captain of the team in 1928. That '28 team struggled to a 4-5 record and although the offense was efficient enough at times, it was the defense that had problems that season.
   Hackney and the Southern Miss team finished the 1929 season with a 2-6-1 record, but he continued to be one of the bright spots on both offense and defense. The team once again showed some firepower on offense that season, but continued to have difficulty on the defensive side.
   Hackney not only excelled on the football field for Southern Miss, but he also earned letters in basketball and baseball. His versatility made him one of the finest athletes the school has ever produced.
   His instincts for the game and his ability to make, big play after big play, gives Hackney a unique spot in the history of Southern Miss athletics.
   He won a spot in the hearts of the Southern Miss fans of the era and in the process earned a spot in the Southern Miss Sports Hall of Fame.