LeTourneau University Athletics

Dr. Ken Roden was an instrumental member of the LeTourneau athletics department for three decades. He served as head cross country coach for 19 seasons from 1977-95.

In 1977, Roden established an intercollegiate cross country team for the first time at LeTourneau. From 1979-95, Roden took the YellowJackets to all but two NCCAA Championship meets. 

Roden coached some of the elite cross country athletes LeTourneau has ever had. Brad Erickstad was an All-American during Roden's time in the NCCAA and NAIA, while Mark Tisdale and Peter Pletcher also collected All-America honors under Roden. He did all of that without athletic scholarships until his final three years.

Roden also served LeTourneau as the Faculty Athletics Representative from 1971-76 and was a longtime member of the Hall of Fame committee.

Roden was inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame in 1996.