Lamar University Athletics

Doug Matthews was the role model for the student-athlete. A record-setting gridder who collected all-conference decorations and served as team captain, he also was a campus leader who prepared scholastically for a career after sports.

Matthews, who went on to become the Galveston city manager, had an outstanding football career for the Cardinals. At the time of his induction, he ranked second on the school’s career rushing list with 2,323 yards and second in scoring with 172 points.

He capped a brilliant career in 1972 when he rushed for 881 yards to lead Lamar to an 8-3 record as he landed on the All-Southland Conference team. He also led the Cardinals in rushing in 1970 with 581 yards and in 1971 with 689 yards. Matthews set the Lamar record for most rushing attempts in a season (194), most rushing attempts in a career (569) and most games with 100 or more yards (7).