Cultural change on the football field

The Lamar University football program is undergoing a significant culture change under the appointment of head coach Pete Rossomando in December 2022. After a long history of struggles and only three winning seasons since 1980, Rossomando has reinvigorated the team, leading it to a No. 22 national ranking for the first time since football returned in 2010. Lamar’s athletic administration, led by Vice President Jeff O’Malley and President Jaime Taylor, has focused on building a supportive culture, which has translated into early success this season.

In numbers

• Lamar has a 6-5 record in Rossomando’s first year and is currently 2-1 heading into 2024.
• For the first time since returning, Lamar football is ranked 22nd nationally and defeated 20th-ranked Weber State 17-16.

Yes but

The culture change is still ongoing as there are still aspects of the program that need to be improved. Rossomando noted that while progress has been made, they are not yet where they need to be in their day-to-day processes.

Current status

• The team has shown resilience and not given up even in difficult games, which has led to a noticeable change in mindset.
• Enrollment has benefited from the revitalized football program, enriching student life and community involvement.

What’s next

If the Cardinals maintain their momentum and have another winning season, they will have two consecutive seasons above .500 for the first time since 1966-67, further cementing the cultural shift.

Conclusion

The revitalization of Lamar’s football program illustrates the powerful impact of organizational change and shows that a commitment to a winning culture can transform not just a team, but the entire university community.