BATON ROUGE, LA - Southern University is deeply saddened by the loss of Legendary Coach Marino Casem. He passed away in his home Saturday afternoon at the age of 85.

Known as "The Godfather" for close to 20 years, Casem served in the dual role of Athletics Director and Head Football Coach at Alcorn State University (1966-86); and from 1986 until his retirement in 1999, Casem served as Athletics Director at Southern University. "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Legendary Coach Marino Casem, our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Coach Casem was an Icon who left his mark on the SWAC and college football as well as his contributions on the administration side. I can't thank him enough for all he has done for Southern University Athletics" said Director of Athletics Roman Banks.

While at Alcorn State, Casem was responsible for the construction of the athletics complex and was instrumental in the design and planning of the football stadium. He was at the helm of the department in 1979 when the Braves' men's basketball team became the first HBCU to capture a win in the NIT. As head football coach from 1964 to 1985, he captured seven Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships, Seven National Black College Championships, and was named both the National Black College and SWAC Coach-of-the-Year a total of seven times.

While at Southern, Casem guided the Jaguars football program for three seasons (1987, 1988 and 1982) to a 19-14 record (12-9 in the SWAC) and guided the athletic department into the top overall sports program in the SWAC. Between 1986 and his retirement in 1999, Southern captured seven SWAC Commissioner Cups, six SWAC men's all-sports trophies and nine SWAC women's all-sports trophies.

Throughout his career he served on many national committees, including various NCAA committees and the USOC Minority Task Force. In addition, Casem has received numerous awards over the course of his career, including being named to the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2006 and being inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 2003 as well as SWAC Hall of Fame, Alcorn State Hall of Honor and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.


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