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Steve Worster -
Lamar University football stadium
One of the nation’s premier running backs who was among the most dominant figures in Darrell Royal’s famed Texas wishbone offense from 1968-70, Steve Worster passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13. He was 73. The legendary Longhorn and two-time All-American is a member of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor as well as the Texas Sports, Texas High School Football and Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.
A powerful, hard-running fullback with breakaway speed, who also was a punishing blocker, Worster was the linchpin of perhaps the greatest and most innovative offense in Texas Longhorns history. He was a perfect fit for the fullback position in the Longhorns triple-option attack that took the nation by storm in the late 1960s.
The State of Texas legend who led Bridge City High School to the 1966 3A State Championship was one of the crown jewels in the Longhorns 1967 signing class that became known as “The Worster Bunch” and was the foundation of a record-setting football era on the Forty Acres.
Freshmen weren’t eligible to play on the varsity at that time, so Longhorn Nation anxiously awaited the future collegiate star’s debut. Worster was everything they expected and more, making an immediate impact as the three-time All-Southwest Conference selection helped lead the Horns to the 1969 and 1970 National Championships and a 30-2-1 record that included a school-best 30-game win streak. Texas won all three SWC titles during his time on the varsity squad and Worster finished his career as the second most-productive rusher in Longhorn history.
He rushed for 2,353 yards and 36 career touchdowns as Texas won 30 consecutive games between 1968 and 1970. He was also fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1970.
Texas Longhorns fans eventually gave Worster the nickname “Big Woo” for his punishing running style and how he lifted his teammates.
“There’s never been a more celebrated high school athlete that produced to the level of his high school hype,” said teammate and fellow member of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor Bill Zapalac, who was also in the 1967 class of signees.
At Bridge City High School, Worster was an all-district runner for four seasons, all-state for two years and an All-American. He totaled 2,210 yards as a senior and led the Cardinals to a 13-1 record and a state title win over McKinney. He finished his high school days with 5,422 yards.
As the fullback in Royal’s Wishbone offense in the late 1960s, Worster’s punishing running style was perfect to wear down defenses in the triple-option set that changed college football forever.
Worster is part of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor and a member of three organizations’ halls of fame – Texas Sports, Texas High School Football and Cotton Bowl.
He will be laid to rest Saturday, Aug. 20, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange at 2 p.m. Worster is survived by his two children, Erin and Scott, and four grandchildren alongside an extended family and friends.
Lamar Cardinals
The start of the 2022 regular season is just around the corner and Lamar University has released its promotional themes for the year. LU will have five home games during the upcoming campaign, and will once again host the Cardinal Lane Fan Fest, to go along with the promotional themes for each game.
The 2022 promotional themes include Hispanic Heritage Day (Sept. 17), Homecoming and Family Weekend (Oct. 1), Hall of Honor Game and Petrochemical Day (Oct. 22), Pink Day (Oct. 29) and Senior Day (Nov. 5).
In addition to Hispanic Heritage Day on Sept. 17, the Cardinals will also be hosting Youth Football Day and the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Day. The home opener will be the Cards’ lone home game in the season’s first month, but LU will return home on Oct. 1 for Homecoming and Family Weekend. That game will also serve as the College of Education and Human Development Night.
A big event on campus each year is the Cardinal Hall of Honor, when the university gathers to honor its next induction class. The 2022 class will be honored at halftime of the game against Prairie View A&M. In addition to the Cardinal Hall of Honor, that game will also serve as Petrochemical Day and Three Rivers Council Boy Scouts Day.
LU closes out the month of October with Pink Day, which serves as Breast Cancer Awareness. It will also be the annual Youth Cheer and Dance Day.
The Cardinals have added a High School Band Day to the promotional schedule this year, and that will take place on Senior Day. The final home game of the season will also serve as Military Appreciate Day and LU Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day.
Cardinal Lane will provide something for all ages as fans can enjoy the day on the LU campus before kickoff. The tailgate will be complete with inflatables, games, a video game trailer, corporate sponsor booths, food trucks and a live DJ.
LU has also partnered with Beaumont Children’s Museum (BCM) for a revamped Kids Zone experience. The Kids Zone will take on a more educational and interactive appearance this season. The BCM will bring STEM kits to teach children about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Kids Zone will include paper airplane competitions to go along with other exciting games. Children can also register for the Big Red Kids Club and receive exclusive LU merchandise, game tickets as well as a 30-day free pass to the Beaumont Children’s Museum.
The in-game experience will once again include the Blue Moon Beer Garden and the Cardinal Cabanas. Originally introduced in 2021, the Beer Garden and Cardinal Cabanas are located in the south end zone and situated on an artificial surface providing a cooler in-game setting. Tickets for the Beer Garden are $35 each and include two drink vouchers.
Along with the Beer Gardens, LU is bringing back another fan favorite – the Cardinals Cabanas. There will be five tents – two 13x13 tents and three 10x10 tents. Each includes a 50-inch 4K TV, a 6-foot LU branded table, a high-top table, a case of beer, access to the Beer Garden and mini cornhole game. Catering for the tents will also be available for purchase.
LU will also be hosting the Cardinal Cook-Off Championship Series in 2022. The cook-off series will consist of Street Taco Fiesta (Sept. 17th), Big Red’s BBQ Classic sanctioned by IBCA (Oct. 1), Gridiron Chili Challenge sanctioned by ICS (Oct. 22), Cardinal Cajun Cook-Off (Oct. 29) and Big Red’s Burger Battle (Nov. 5th).