Van Hargis, second from the left embraces the Fraternity of The Lion Family.
Next man up is a guy that I really have a ton of personal respect for just because he is such a good guy, and that is Van Hargis. Van has a great college football story. He started his career at Austin College in Sherman, winning a NAIA National Championship as a member of the Kangaroos. Hargis then moved back to his native Commerce and transferred to ETSU to play for the Lions, winning an LSC title in 1983, playing multiple positions during his playing days.
The Hargis File:
Name: Van Hargis
Hometown: Commerce, TX:
High School: Commerce High School
Favorite team while in Commerce: 1983 Lions LSC Co-Champions
Position: Tailback, Punt Returner & Kick Returner
Degree: Marketing
What I am Doing Now: Professional Horseman, Public Speaker, Writer and Podcast Executive Producer.
Duration: 1983-1985
Favorite ET School Memory: “Reporting to summer football camp (2 a days) and seeing all my teammates & meeting all the new guys.”
Van Hargis carrying the Football.
Favorite Football Memory: “I actually have two… 1st was the pivotal game against Stephen F Austin the season of 83. We were in a tight spot in the game and had to have a first down to stay in the game. Kyle Mackey called my number, tossed a pass out in the flats to me, I had to break a tackle and gain approx 10 yards. A dive at the end of the run was just enough for the had-to-have first down. We won the game to tie Jim Wacker’s SouthWest Texas State Bobcats for the LSC Championship. 2nd was our game again Eastern New Mexico State University in Portales, NM my junior year. I rushed for a personal college career high in only 3 Quarters of play because I suffered a knee injury the 2nd play of the 4th Quarter. I was honored as being the LSC offensive player of the week after that performance. Needless to say I was lead by arguably the best offensive line in the LSC, captained by the great OT Alan Veingrad. The other awesome up-front men were OT Ralph Oberdieck, G Lynn Herrick, G Gaylon Surratt and C Curtis Williams.”
Awards/honors: LSC Offensive Player of the Week vs. Eastern New Mexico
One of the greatest things about Van Hargis is how much he values relationships, he sums it up in this sentiment:
“The greatest thing about playing for ET has been staying in touch with so many of my former teammates. It’s incredibly heart warming to see so many of them successful in so many ways in their lives. Many…most are true Lion brothers.”
