1st & 10 with Rex Garner

Rex Garner finished a two-year career at Pittsburg State University as the fourth-leading rusher in school history, despite appearing in just 19 games for the Gorillas. Garner rushed for 1,786 yards and 12 touchdowns on 385 carries, twice earning first-team NAIA All-District 10 and honorable mention NAIA All-America honors in 1975-76.  A Pittsburg native, Garner originally signed with NCAA Division I SMU out of high school, before transferring to Pitt State for his final two seasons. Garner, who has gone on to enjoy a highly successful career as an insurance agent following his collegiate career, was inducted into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2004.

1. What does being a Pitt State Gorilla mean to you?

Once a Gorilla always a Gorilla. In my job I do a lot of traveling, whether it be to Dallas, Texas, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Kansas City, Kansas, or Las Vegas, Nevada. In conversations people ask where I am from, I say, “Pittsburg, Kansas.” They say, “The Home of the Gorillas, you all have a power house of a football program.” I am extremely proud of Pitt State’s reputation, and proud to say I am a Gorilla.

2. What makes Pittsburg State such a special place for a student-athlete? Since you’re a life-long Pittsburg resident, what would you say is your favorite thing about the town?

The university is just the right size to get a great education, and not get lost in a mass of students. You can get more individual attention, communication, and interaction with teachers and students. This is very beneficial for a student-athlete trying to balance the demands of a hectic academic schedule with practice and games. If you are not at a certain level in the classroom, you will not be eligible to play. You want to be on the field, and the coaches and fans want you out there as well!

One of my favorite things about the town is how much the community is involved and supportive of Pitt State. We especially love football. You can feel the excitement on game day; Pittsburg is definitely a football town.

3. Can you tell us about a memorable experience or moment that you had while in school at Pitt State that was non-football related?

One memory that sticks out is from Al Ortolani’s (our athletic trainer at the time) class. He wanted to boost his students’ participation, and at the same time try to disprove the idea that student-athletes are dumb. So he chose me to help him with this goal. Before each class he would give me the answer to one of the questions he was going to ask. It went so well, once everyone saw how I was answering correctly they tried to answer the questions too. At the same time everybody thought I was one smart guy. Towards the end of the semester Mr. Ortolani decided it was time to let all my classmates know about our little deal. Instead of just telling everyone he decided to do something a little more creative. He asked the questions just like usual, and I gave the answer. The answer however was so far off and had nothing to with the question that everyone knew what was going on. I think this kind of practical joke could only happen at this size of university. It was a great moment, and really served to unite student-athletes with students. Some of the friends I made in that class became lifetime friends and even clients of mine at my business here in Pittsburg.

4. Do you feel that the education you received at PSU prepared you for your future and has helped you achieve some of your career goals?

Absolutely, yes! I received a degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Biology/Business. I had some fantastic professors at Pitt State. They were always willing to work with you one on one. A tutor would be provided if you needed one, basically they wanted to make sure that you learned and excelled in the classroom.

I signed to play Division I Football at SMU (Southern Methodist University) in Dallas, Texas. At that time we were in the Southwest Conference and played against Texas, Texas Tech, Arkansas, Texas A&M, etc. At a large university I did not get that individual attention and comfort of a small classroom setting like I did at Pitt State. There was no way a professor would ask questions of the students or encourage discussion, it was more straight lecturing. It was hard to keep up and focused with between 100-300 students in each course, and you end up feeling just like another face in the crowd. It was much easier to learn and excel here at Pitt State.

5. What is something about the school that has changed since when you played here? Do you think it’s a good thing? Are there any other major changes that particularly stick out in your mind?

There have been many positive changes to the school since I played, to name a few, student enrollment and a lot of building and infrastructural improvements and additions have enhanced PSU. I have been following the renovation of our football stadium, additions have been made to the seating capacity, sky boxes have been added, new Fieldturf, and the ‘Jungletron’. This stadium is not second to anyone’s.  Recently I attended the National Junior College Championship Game here at Pitt State in the sky box area. There were Division I assistant coaches in the box scouting the junior college players. All the coaches (from OU/Kansas/Nebraska/K-State, etc.) agreed that our stadium was a smaller version of their stadiums. What a great stadium for our players and fans!

6. You came to PSU after spending a couple of years playing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. What was so special about PSU that made you want to transfer and what was the difference between playing in the Division I program and our Division II program?

I signed out of high school to play for SMU’s Division I program which was in the Southwest Conference. Because of an injury to our starting right half back in the third game of my true freshman year I was called on to start. I think the only major difference was playing on a losing Division I team versus playing on a winning Division II team. It is so much more exciting and fun when you are winning. Pitt State is the most winning program in Division II.

7. It’s obvious how much pride you still have in Gorilla Football knowing that you still attend all the home games and have invested in a skybox at Carnie Smith Stadium. Could you give us another recent example of how much pride you still take in being a part of the Gorilla family? Do you still keep in contact with any of the guys that you played with?

I always bring up Pitt State Football on all my travels. I like to take my friends and colleagues to watch the games in our sky box. What an exciting experience to share my passion for Pitt State Football. Everyone who has experienced it says they love it!

8. You played for two different head coaches during your time as a player and you’ve also seen a few other very successful head coaches come through the program. What kind of effect do you think new Head Coach Tim Beck will have on this program?

Coach Beck will bring excitement, honesty and integrity to our program. He cares about his players and team morale. He is someone you can believe in and trust. Coach Beck is someone I would love to play for, and I would trust my son to play for him.

9. How did it make you feel being inducted into the Pitt State Hall of Fame?

Words cannot explain it! To be honored and placed in a class of such great players, ones that have played before me and after me. I wish every player could experience that moment.

10. Lastly, if you can think of just one, what was your single favorite moment while playing at PSU?

Having a scout from the Cleveland Browns come up to me after a game and introduce himself. He told me to secure an agent, and that if I did not get drafted, that they were going to sign me as a free agent.

Advertisement