Northwestern State University Athletics

Willis was the first NSU baseball player to make it to Major League Baseball … started his NSU career in 1944 before serving in the military during World War II, returning from 1947-50 … a baseball pitcher who was part of the revival of Demon baseball after the war … helped NSU post a 12-9 mark in 1949 … his No. 28 jersey is retired … after playing in Shreveport and Alexandria, the Chicago Cubs called Willis up in 1953, where he played for two seasons … the reliever compiled a 2-2 record with a 3.39 ERA in 27 appearances and four starts … a basketball guard on the 1948-49 Demons who finished 23-5, won the Gulf States Conference championship, and reached the national NAIA Tournament semifinals, defeating BYU in the quarterfinals in Kansas City.