Dennis Scott left a mark at Missouri State University: He was on two championship football teams, in 1963 and 1966, with records that still stand.

But to his Bear friends, he’s best known for a dedication to public service. He’s a veteran of the United States Air Force and a retired commercial pilot who has explored the world.

He’s also a member of the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame, inducted in 1995.

He’s a Football Bear who became “Mr. SMS”

Scott attended Missouri State from 1963-68. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education while excelling on the football team.

Scott’s passion for the sport — and having high school friends who were already on the team — influenced his decision to attend MSU.

By his senior year, he was a co-captain. He led his team to victories in the MIAA conference and built relationships that would last a lifetime.

“As a coach, I got to be around all different types of people, but Dennis was one who would always show up with a smile on his face and a wonderful attitude,” said Bill Rowe, former athletics director who was the assistant football coach at the time.

Scott’s performance led to his selection as an All-Conference player in his junior and senior years. The Bears intercepted 29 passes in the 1966 season, a team record that still stands. Scott himself had four interceptions in one game, another record that still stands — and highlights his skills as a defensive back.

His team went to the Mineral Water Bowl, an annual NCAA Division II game at the time.

“They would pick a Missouri team to play somebody outside the state, and we got to go to that twice,” Scott said. “That was a lot of fun.”

He was even selected to receive the 1968 Virgil Cheek Athletic Achievement Award when he graduated.

Outside of football, he was in the S Club for lettermen and in Kappa Alpha fraternity.

His teammate Tom Marty was one of his closest friends.

“Scott was the big man on campus. Even from his freshman year, he was a very respected player,” Marty said. “I don’t know if there’s a single person who knows the name Dennis Scott who could ever say anything bad about him.”

In fact, students voted him Mr. SMS in 1967.

“It was really just a fun thing. You didn’t campaign or do any of that. The campus was so much smaller then, and everybody knew who was on the football team,” Scott said. “I don’t even know how I got on the ballot. I just was lucky enough that enough people knew me through my activities!”

Becoming a pilot, “the best job anybody could ever have”

Scott initially planned to become a P.E. teacher and go on to coach football.

However, he had a delayed military enlistment. Right after MSU, he taught as a substitute while expecting to join the military during the Vietnam War.

He was interested in pilot training but there was a waiting list. He served in different capacities, including as a medic. Eventually, he got the nod to learn to fly.

He specialized in planes that refueled other aircraft in the air. After training, he went to southeast Asia to assist in the conflict.

He was on active duty until 1975. Next, he served in the Air Force Reserve in Kansas City, flying other types of planes, and then the Air National Guard. He retired from the Air Force in 1994.

While in the Guard, he started working for American Airlines. He achieved seniority and became an international pilot. By his total, he has explored 34 different countries.

“I felt like it was the best job anybody could ever have,” he said.

He retired in 2005, and still lives in K.C.

Family, MSU “football buddies” are now his priorities

While building his career, Scott also embraced the role of husband and father. He met wife Laura, another military enlistee, when he was in the Air Force Reserve.

He has four grown children: daughter Sara, son Thad, daughter Jaden and daughter Lilly. He also has two grandsons, Luke and Alex.

Jaden and Lilly were adopted from China.

“Jaden was 4 months old when we got her, and Lilly was 4 years old. At that time, China had the one-child policy and little girls didn’t have much of a chance.”

The entire family is close, he said.

“I would highly, highly recommend adoption despite all the effort that you have to go through. It’s really worth it.”

Scott has stayed close with his Bear friends from the football days, and meets with them regularly, sometimes in Springfield near campus.

“Of all the people I’ve met and all the things I’ve done, my football buddies are still some of the closest friends I have,” Scott said.

He also enjoys golfing, supporting his favorite sports teams and spending days at the family lake house.

“At this age, I don’t really have any long-range plans,” Scott said. “Life is good just like it is, and I try to make the most of every day.”