University of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics

Charles Grassi came out of Lake Village to play for both Jim Benton and Convoy Leslie as part of an Arkansas A&M football dynasty of the 1950s that saw the Boll Weevils win five AIC championships in six years. In an era of one-platoon football where players played both offense and defense, Grassi was a standout fullback and linebacker, earning second team All-AIC honors in 1953, the year the Weevils won the school’s first AIC football championship (and the first league title in any sport). Grassi earned first team All-AIC honors as a senior in 1954 in Leslie’s first season as head coach.