Lloyd “Chief” Powless made it very clear to anyone who engaged him in conversation that he was very proud to be a Native American. He was on the rolls of the Oneida nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, having been born on the Sioux Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Hence, the nickname “Chief”.
He transferred to Augustana from Northwestern, leaving behind a full athletic scholarship. He played two years at Augustana and when he graduated in 1964 he left behind quite a legacy. He played defensive tackle in 1962 and was a linebacker in 1963 as a senior, earning first team all-conference honors in the College Conference of Illinois both years.
As a senior, Powless served as a co-captain for the Vikings and was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player. In addition to his All-CCI recognition, he was named to the Peoria Star Journal’s All-State collegiate team as its first team center. Although “Chief” had never played the position, the Star Journal felt the need to recognize him on its first team, which already had a middle linebacker…Dick Butkus of the University of Illinois.
The 6’2”, 228-pound Powless signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams following his senior year.
Following his years at Augustana, Powless remained active in Native American affairs. Positions he held included Chairperson of Title IV for the education of Native American children; Committee Advisor for the Baltimore Indian Center; Board Advisor for the Maryland Indian Commission; and member of both the Maryland Native Grant Advisory Counsel and Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Manpower Resources.
Following his graduation, Powless expressed his pride in both his Native American heritage and his status as an Augustana alumnus, “I am a Native American and hope to be an example to my people. Augustana’s first concern was that I have an opportunity for an education and secondly that I played football. I am truly grateful to my alma mater.”
