Lamar football news in Bob West Sunday column

[Guest abovetherim]

Lamar University basketball fans with job flexibility ought to take a long look at spending the first week of December in Kentucky with the Cardinals. That’s somewhat of a dream hoops trip Steve Roccaforte has lined up, starting with a game against Kentucky in Rupp Arena on Dec. 3 and concluding with a matchup Dec. 8 in Freedom Hall against Louisville. Throw in a Dec. 6 clash with Ohio University and a Dec. 7 game against Indiana State in Louisville’s tournament, and we’re talking a serious lineup of quality basketball. The game against Kentucky, by the way, won’t be Lamar’s first trip into Rupp Arena. Tom Abatemarco’s first Cardinal team competed well but fated late in dropping a 71-56 decision to Eddie Sutton’s Wildcats on Dec. 13, 1986 . . . Congratulations to Lamar’s Cardinal Club on surpassing its goal of $50,000 with its recent Phone-a-thon. More than 60 LU coaches and Cardinal Club members worked the phones to come up with nearly $60,000 in pledges of support for the athletic program . . . Word on the grapevine is that new Lamar football coach Ray Woodard may be adding former University of Texas quarterback Donnie Little to his staff in some capacity. Little, for those too young to be familiar with him, was the first black quarterback to sign with the Longhorns. Woodard, incidentally, will be at the Pompano Club Thursday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for a meet and greet session with Cardinal fans.

http://www.panews.com/sportsbobwest/local_story_222200623.html

[Guest abovetherim]

A bit of information about Donnie Little

By Michael Corcoran

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Donnie Little, the first African American to play quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns, has been a father figure to Vince Young since the Greatest Longhorn Ever was a homesick freshman from the south side of Houston. In fact, the 46-year-old Dickinson High product and development manager for the Longhorn Foundation and Longhorn Legacy even looks a little like a computer-enhanced photo of what VY might look like in 25 years.

http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/arts/stories/xl/2006/05/sports.html

[KFDM COOP]

Get him!!!

[Guest coachacola]

He works for the Longhorn Foundation in Austin.  Would he perform a similar role for Lamar football?  Maybe be a big promoter and bring in donations? 

[BearWolf]

I like what he's doing for the Longhorns. let's get him.

[AggiesAreWe]

Lamar assistant football coach Craig McGallion is all too familiar with Donnie Little. Craig was a soph. starting linebacker for Silsbee when the Tigers went up against the Donnie Little led Dickinson Gators in the state semi finals in 1977 in the Astrodome. Donnie practically beat Silsbee by himself that night scoring both Gator td's, one on a 75 yard punt return, beating the Tigers 12-0 on their way to a state title that year. Dickinson beat Brownwood the next week for the title 41-20.

Craig will tell you the Tigers had their chances that night, fumbling 3 times inside the Gator 10 yard line, once at the goalline, but could not answer Mr. Little. Well Craig, if we can't beat'em, might as well join'em.