California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Roger Gordon was a four-year starting forward for the men’s soccer team from 1993 through 1996.

A four-time all-conference selection, Gordon also was named twice to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) all-region team.

During his freshman season, Gordon helped the Vulcans compile a then-school-record 13-3-2 overall regular season, which included a 2-1 victory over nationally-ranked Lock Haven.

“I still have that game etched in my memory,” said Gordon 22 years later. “Lock Haven was a real powerhouse and I think we really woke up the conference and after that game we were not a surprise and other teams knew we could play and were out for us.”

The 1993 Vulcans qualified for the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament for the first time in program history.

“We had some good players and the veterans were all excited at the start of that season because we had a good recruiting class and thought we’d turn the corner,” Gordon said. “We had an amazing team and my freshman year was really exciting.”

Gordon finished that season with 13 goals and 32 points, which at the time placed him in a tie for the single-season individual scoring school record.

“At training camp I thought I was a good player and I remember scoring in an exhibition game against Pittsburgh,” Gordon said. “I remember thinking, wow I can do this.”

He added another 32 points in his senior season with a career-high 14 goals and became the first Cal U men’s soccer player to earn all-conference honors for four-consecutive years.

Gordon finished his final season as Cal U’s career leader in goals (47) and points (110). Those marks, along with his 16 assists, still place him among the school’s career leaders.

“Individually I did well and I did not think I would have the big numbers,” said Gordon who surpassed the career marks set by Peter Bokolas, a graduate assistant coach for the Vulcans when Gordon began playing. “I didn’t play for points or anything and when were up big in games the starters did not stay in because that’s not who we were.”

With his induction to the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame, Gordon becomes just the fourth men’s soccer player to receive Cal U’s highest athletic honor, joining teammate Omar McPherson ’99, ’01, as well as Tomas Boltnar ’01, ’02 and Nicholas Addlery ’03.

Gordon played at Cal U under Mid-Mon Valley Hall of Fame head coach Dennis Laskey, who retired in June 2012. He also served as a graduate assistant coach under Laskey and played for the local Dunlevy Redbirds.

“This honor is really a thank you to Dennis,” Gordon said. “I came from humble beginnings with some tough times growing up in Jamaica and Dennis was the guidance for a lot of us when we arrived here. He gave me the opportunity, stuck with me, and is a great person and coach.”

Laskey understandably praised Gordon’s talents.

“He had speed, power, was strong on the ball, a great athlete with a tremendous passion for the game who could score and setup goals,” Laskey said. “If you have any attributes in soccer that someone would want it’s to score goals because most of the games are low scoring and close.”
“Roger was the consummate student-athlete for the collegiate level, the kind that anyone would want to recruit. We were fortunate to get a player of that caliber.”

Just as Gordon, Laskey fondly recalled the program’s first-ever win over perennial-power Lock Haven in 1993, which Gordon scored the go-ahead goal. The team lost 10-1 to the Bald Eagles the previous season.

“That has to rank up there as one of our all-time goals and no question that victory was the turning point in the program,” Laskey said. “We were continuously good after that. That win and being able to land a quality player such as Roger to our program helped us recruit a lot of other good players and set the tone for the future.”

Originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, Gordon starred at prestigious soccer power Clarendon High School before his family relocated to Scarborough, Ontario, for his senior year.

Gordon graduated from Central Tech High School in Toronto, where he was a soccer standout. He worked in airplane mechanics for two years and could have been part of Canada’s National Cricket Team before continuing his academic and soccer careers at Cal U.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in special education and teaching certification in secondary education, all from Cal U.

From 2000-2004, Gordon played and coached with the Owens Sound United in Ontario’s York Region Soccer League. The team was league runner-up twice.

For the past 10 years, Gordon has been a history teacher at Henry Street High School in Whitby, Ontario. He also has coached Henry Street’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams for the past five years. He guided the Hawks’ girls’ team to two Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship appearances.

Roger and his wife, former Cal U women’s volleyball standout Sherry Ann Bowen ’00, reside in Oshawa, Ontario. The couple has four children: son Kamari, who is 12, and daughters Kya, 10, Khasana, 8, and Kaydia, 4.

In the summer, Gordon competes in the over-35 Toronto & District Soccer League and helps coach his children in the Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club.

He is quick to credit Cal U and the sport of his passion for paving his success.

“I always ask myself what I would be doing if I had not went to Cal,” Gordon said. “My soccer ability was a gift from God but the education I received there is why I was able to become a teacher which I enjoy. I also really enjoy coaching soccer.”

Laskey is hardly surprised his star player has enjoyed a successful career and life.

“Roger has always had a solid base for the future and always wanted to pursue a career in education, earn a degree and become a teacher,” Laskey added. “From the moment I met him we had a good relationship and knew this was a good fit for him and our school.”


updated 2/11/15