Brooks says LU decision a good one
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Count Jasper Athletic Director Thomas Brooks among the many that was pleased when Lamar University's student body approved a special fee that will assist in funding the return of the Lamar Cardinal football program.

Brooks said the decision for the university gives Southeast Texas football athletes another option when it comes to choosing a college playing future.

"I think it helps a lot," Brooks said. "You might not catch the coach's eye at Stephen F. Austin or McNeese but there might be something a coach at Lamar might like in you and you're playing college football. We send out tapes to all the school and just because one school doesn't like you, it doesn't mean another school will not like you. All it takes is one coach to like you and then a young man will get a scholarship and go to college and get an education.

"It gives the kids more options and it will hurt SFA and McNeese because now there will be another school that are going to recruit this area," Brooks said.

Lamar students went to the polls on Jan. 29 and 30 and voted on the fee that will put the university one step closer to realizing the dream of reviving the program that was discontinued in 1989. A majority of 79% for and 21% against was the final tally to approve the fee and overcome the first hurdle in the quest for football.

Brooks played at Lamar University in 1981 after playing one year at Texas Southern University.

"I really enjoyed playing there," Brooks said.

He said this decision will also help the university in many other aspects as well. Brooks said there is nothing like a college campus with a football game on Saturday and now Lamar will again get a chance to experience that type of atmosphere.

"They will also have to add a band where they didn't have one since the football program left," Brooks said. "Now more kids will go to Lamar because they want to continue in band and march. I think it will help in that area as well."

"A football program on a university campus is a very important factor in enrollment management," said Brian Sattler, director of public relations for Lamar. "With the leadership of President Simmons, academic offerings have increased; new facilities such as the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center, Cardinal Village Phase IV and the new dining hall have been constructed to enhance the campus learning and living environment, so it is a great time to work toward bringing college football back to the campus and Southeast Texas."

With the affirmation from the students in hand, President Simmons is poised to seek approval from the Texas State University System Board of Regents at a meeting to be held on the Lamar University campus on Feb. 22. Once approval from the Board is obtained, the LU Athletics Department will begin renovation of Cardinal Stadium and begin the search for a coach. Tentative plans have the Cardinals beginning Southland Conference play during the fall 2010 season.

Brooks said as a former alumni, he said now that the decision has been finalized, he is starting to get feedback from the university.

"Now, they are sending me mailouts seeking alumni financial support for the new football program," Brooks laughed.

Brooks said he believes the Lamar program will have to find a head coach that knows Southeast Texas football and its players.

"If you bring somebody in that none of the local coaches know, I don't know how that will work out," Brooks said. "I think it would be good to have somebody there that we all can relate to. Somebody that knows the area and knows the high school coaches."