Aug. 20, 2010
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15 DAYS UNTIL KICKOFF - After transferring to Lamar University from Abilene Christian for his junior season, Rodney Cavness found himself in a rather perplexing situation - listed No. 3 on the depth chart at quarterback to Shad Smith and John Evans, two of the more prolific passers in school history.
The 6-footer from Deer Park threw only one pass that season (1987), and it was incomplete. He moved to the other side of the ball the next spring and played strong safety in addition to serving as the holder for extra points and field goals as a senior.
"The quarterbacks had to throw the ball in Coach (Ray) Alborn's offense, and I couldn't see over those tall linemen," said Cavness. "It was a good thing I moved to defense.
"I already knew I wanted to be a coach, and it helped to learn both sides of the ball while I was still in college. I had some quality people to learn from - both teammates and coaches."
While continuing to work on his master's degree, Cavness spent three years as a football and track and field coach. He then moved into school administration as assistant principal at Silsbee High School and has steadily risen in the field over the past 16 years.
"I have the fondest of recollections from my days at Lamar," said the 44-year Cavness, who will take over as superintendent of schools at Port Neches-Groves on Sept. 2. "Having guys like Burton Murchison and John Evans as teammates was a great experience. They're both in the Cardinal Hall of Honor now.
"Even the offseasons were fun. There would be six to eight of us piled together living in a rent house while we were working like dogs and making minimum wage.
"There were some real characters on the team in those days - guys like Robert Evans and Bobby Berry. We had some lockerroom shenanigans, but we also knew how to get serious about playing football.
"We had some great coaches to learn from - guys like Ray Alborn, Jeff Conway and Bert Gravitt. They were characters, too and a lot of fun to be around."
Cavness, who has been active in recent years in getting ex-football lettermen re-involved with the football program in general and the university as a whole, is excited about the program's potential for success.
"Dr. (James) Simmons has a proven track record as a leader," said Cavness. "From a facilities standpoint, to the hiring of Ray Woodard as head coach, to him surrounding himself with a strong staff, to recruiting quality players, everything is being done first class.
"People need to understand this first team won't go 11-0, but it will happen. When people get exposed to what's going on with the program, they get excited and they, too, get involved. The ball is rolling, and everyone is determined that football will never again take a hit like it did in 1989 (when the program was disbanded due to dwindling resources and support).
The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved an athletics fee to restore the program in February of 2008 and named former NFL player Ray Woodard its eighth head coach on June 19, 2008.
Lamar will play an 11-game schedule this season, with six games being played in the newly renovated Provost Umphrey Stadium. The first home game will be against Webber International on Sept. 11.
Tickets for this historic season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Lamar Ticket Office at (409) 880-1715 or by visiting the athletics Web site at www.lamarcardinals.com/tickets/footbl-s-tickets.html.
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