Southern University announced this week that it will honor the late Roger Cador, a towering figure in collegiate baseball, with a series of public tributes.
A Life of Leadership
Cador’s baseball journey began in the early 1970s when he played both basketball and baseball for the Jaguars, hitting a .393 average in 1972 and later being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1973.
After completing his playing days, he returned to Southern as an assistant coach before being named head baseball coach in 1985, a position he held for three decades.
Under his guidance the team captured 14 conference titles, earned 11 NCAA tournament appearances, and became the first historically black college or university to win an NCAA tournament game in 1987.
Memorial Details
A public viewing will be held on July 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Southern’s campus, followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m.
The ceremony will bring together former players, colleagues, and fans to reflect on a career that produced 10 All‑Americans and 62 Major League draftees, including former Jaguar Rickie Weeks.
A Lasting Impact
Beyond the wins, Cador was celebrated for his mentorship, his induction into both the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, and his role in elevating the profile of HBCU athletics nationwide.