Persistence pays off as Cauley signs with PV
By GEORGIA PURDY

JASPER'S JOMAR CAULEY, center, signs a letter of intent to play football for Prairie View University. Front row, left to right, are sister Schbrea Cauley, Cauley and his mother Renee Cauley. Back row, left to right, are coach Kevin Jackson, coach Troy Carptenter, and Jomar's father Joe Cauley.

When Jasper High School athlete Jomar Cauley signed a letter of intent last week to play football at Prairie View A&M University, he demonstrated what a student's own initiative plus supportive parents can do to earn scholarships.

"We researched what he needed to do to get into college," his mother Renee' Cauley said. "We made sure he took the courses he needed, registered for college entrance exams and passed TAKS."

In addition, the family gave up their usual summer vacation so Jomar could attend football camps.

"Those are one-day camps and it is a way of getting your name out there," Jomar said. "You get a chance for colleges to take a look at you."

That took money and time, a sacrifice his parents said they were willing to make.

"Parents have to do their part," his father Joe Cauley said. "We spent the summer driving him to those camps which took a lot of money."

In order for colleges to know what a player can do, it is customary to send game tapes to prospective schools. Jomar did that himself.

"I got the film from the coaches, cut it, put it together and sent it to a woman in Kirbyville who digitally enhanced it and put it on DVD for me," Jomar said. "Then I sent it to different colleges. Sometimes, you just have to take the initiative."

Last week all of that work paid off when he signed for a $13,500 per year scholarship with Prairie View. The scholarship is for four or five years, depending on whether or not he is red-shirted his freshman year.

"I've already been given a playbook and told to memorize it," Jomar said. "I've also been told that there is a good chance that I will get to play my freshman year."

Jomar will play guard for the Prairie View Panthers and his strong work ethic should insure success in that position.

"Jomar is a hard working kid who does everything you ask," coach Kevin Jackson said. "He's a leader on the field and he doesn't mind working."

Jomar says that he chose Prairie View because it is close to home and he liked the attitudes of the coaches he met there when he visited.

"The people were nice. I liked their attitudes," he said. "The coaches really wanted me and treated me like I had already been there even though I was only there one day."

He will take the same dedication, the same determination he exhibited at Jasper High School, especially his senior year when the team did not make the playoffs.

"We went through a tough year and a lot of guys quit," Jomar said. "I love the sport and it wouldn't feel right to quit on your team."

He also shared some favorite memories from his football days at JHS.

"My favorite memory is going to state my sophomore year," he said. "Another is my ninth grade year. I was moved up during the playoffs and learned a lot from Sir Vincent Rogers. I also have good memories of my teammates from past years - Sean Weatherspoon, for example. Spoon was a character."

His coaches also remember Jomar as an athlete who could be depended on in tough situations.

"Jomar was a solid player for the Bulldogs this season," coach Troy Carpenter said. "He anchored our offensive line by always being dependable in practice and on the field on Fridays. He led our team with decleaters and when we needed tough yards, he was the man we chose to run behind. He was always respectful and ready to work. He's one of those diamonds in the rough that Prairie View is lucky to have on their team. It was an honor to coach him and to get to know him as a person."

Jackson said that the staff hopes to begin a program where student athletes like Jomar Cauley can mentor younger players by sharing their experiences.

"We would like to have him back to talk to younger kids about the importance of academics and passing TAKS," Jackson said. "They need to know about taking the ACT and SAT and doing whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. Success doesn't just fall in your lap. You have to work for it like Jomar has."