Missouri Southern State University Athletics

A dedicated advocate for Missouri Southern athletics, Dr. Al Cade made a lasting impact on the Lions through his years of service, leadership, and commitment to student-athletes. He served 25 years at Missouri Southern in a multitude of roles including Faculty Athletic Representative before passing away in February 2015.

In 1984, he joined the Missouri Southern faculty as a physical education instructor for the Department of Kinesiology and as assistant football coach, working with the Lions defensive line. In 1993, he returned to his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State University, as an instructor and later taught and served as an assistant football coach at Minnesota State University Mankato.

He returned to Missouri Southern in 1996 as assistant to the dean of the School of Education. He then served as interim dean and later was named the school's dean. Cade also served as chair of the Department of Teacher Education from 2005 to 2012.

Cade worked as faculty advisor for the Southern IMPACT program, a member of the administrative council, shared governance and strategic planning committees, the athletic council, and the campus diversity committee.

Along with serving on various committees for the Missouri Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for Educators, he served seven years as vice president and president for Missouri Association for Blacks in Higher Education.

He was an executive board member as well as vice president for Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Missouri, city of Joplin Human Rights Commission and Joplin Schools and Community Facilities Committee, as well as the Miracle League of Joplin and Southwest Center for Educational Excellence. He was chair of the annual George Washington Carver Art and Essay Contest.

Cade was also involved with Joplin area Special Olympics, Joplin Chamber of Commerce Golden Apple Teacher Award Selection Committee and Langston Hughes Celebration Committee.

A four-year starter on the Northwest Missouri State football team from 1978 to 1981, Cade was a member of the 1979 team that won an MIAA championship. He was a three-time all-conference selection, including 1981 when he was an All-MIAA first-team selection as a defensive lineman, and his 345 career tackles rank among the top 10 in program history. Cade was inducted into Northwest's M-Club Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named NWMSU's Distinguished Alumni in 2013.

Cade received his Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education in 1983 and a Master of Science in health and physical education in 1985, both from Northwest Missouri State University. In 2001, he earned his Doctorate of Education from St. Louis University.

In honor of his legacy, Missouri Southern State University created the Dr. Al Cade Beacon of Hope Award for student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional community service and leadership.