Cardinal Hall of Honor
As an unsung, behind-the-scenes operator, Dan Rogas made numerous significant contributions to the success of Lamar University’s athletic program.
For more than 30 years, the Port Arthur native served Lamar as an outstanding football coach, a highly successful golf mentor and in development of the Cardinal Club.
For 17 years, from 1955 through 1971, Rogas was Lamar’s football line coach, producing 22 all-conference players, two first-team All-Americas and three second-team All-Americas. A former player said Rogas shortened the coaching technique to “nose-to-nose.” Under his direction, Lamar won 11 consecutive golf championships from 1963 to 1973 and NCAA College Division titles in 1967 and 1968. Rogas was twice named golf Coach of the Year in the NCAA College Division.
With Rogas at the helm as executive director, the Cardinal Club attained its greatest achievements in supporting Lamar University’s athletic programs. An all-state tackle on Port Arthur’s 1944 state championship football team, Rogas starred in college at Tulane University before playing two years in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
