Roger Cador, the legendary Southern University baseball coach who helped transform HBCU baseball and mentored generations of student-athletes, has died at the age of 74 after battling brain cancer.
Southern University announced Cador’s death on June 30, prompting an outpouring of tributes from former players, coaches and members of the Jaguar community. University leaders remembered him as far more than a successful coach, describing him as a visionary, mentor and one of the most influential figures in the history of Southern athletics.
Known For:
- Head baseball coach at Southern University from 1985 to 2017.
- Winning 14 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.
- Leading Southern to two HBCU national championships and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Mentoring dozens of future professional players, including Rickie Weeks.
- Induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Legacy:
Roger Cador is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of HBCU baseball. Through more than three decades at Southern University, he built a championship program while opening doors for countless young athletes. His impact on college baseball and his commitment to developing future leaders will continue to be felt for generations.