MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / July 1, 2000

EDGARD – There has been much talk in recent years about the need for athletes to be role models.

One that has answered that call is West St. John’s Tremaine Nathan.In three years with the Rams, Nathan got the job done on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He was a three-year letterman in threesports – football, basketball and track. In the classroom, he was a 4.28grade point average student and a member of the Academic All-State football and basketball teams. To top it off, he is a volunteer fireman anda member of his church’s choir.

“It’s not that hard,” Nathan said of fitting everything into his schedule.

“If you enjoy doing it, you can find time for it.” One just has to look at the athletes Nathan followed growing up to know what kind of person he is – Doug Williams, Warren Moon, Reggie White and Michael Jordan. Each is known just as much for the work they have one offthe field as on it.

Nathan began playing sports with the Rams three years ago. “I just had adesire to be out there, to be part of the winning tradition,” Nathan said.

Nathan would indeed become part of a winning tradition. It started thesummer before his sophomore year when he was a member of the St. JohnParish Warriors Biddy Basketball team. The Warriors defeated St. CharlesParish in the national championship game that summer, becoming the first St. John Parish team to win a national crown.Many of those same players would go on to continue that success on the high school level. In 1998, the Rams defeated Riverside to capture theClass 2A state title in football. And this past season, the Rams capturedthe school’s first state basketball title with a victory over McCall. Nathansaid each success helped feed the next one.

“The first thing we won was the national title for Biddy Basketball,” Nathan said. “From that point on, we just kept winning. It was hard workand dedication. We strived for more and for better things. We had verygood coaches who worked us every day and made sure we did the right things.”Nathan did the right things as the Rams’ starting defensive end in football this past season, earning all-District 9-2A and all-River Parishes honors after recording 100 tackles and three sacks. He was also named the team’smost improved player. In track, he placed third in district in the highjump. In a class that featured a number of exceptional athletes, Nathanwas the recipient of the school’s Anthony Miller Award, given to the outstanding senior athlete who played two or more sports and achieved at least a 2.5 GPA.Nathan did the right things off the field as well. He received a ScholasticAward at West St. John’s annual Athletic’s Banquet and was also therecipient of Most Valuable Attitude awards in track and basketball.

Nathan has been on the honor roll since elementary school and recently received the Leroy Dallas Williams Scholarship, the Triparish Elk Scholarship and the Knights of Columbus Patriotic Award. He has also received a citizenship award for his work in the community.

“It’s not hard,” Nathan said combining athletics and academics. “I wouldcome to school, go to practice and come home and do my homework.”Nathan said his drive for success came from two sources – his family and his community.

“I love being involved in the community and helping others,” Nathan said.

Nathan, who graduated this May, plans to attend Southern University in the fall and major in computer science.

As for the incoming class at West St. John, Nathan advised them to makesure they took care of their work in the classroom first.

“Do your work first and then you can have fun and play sports. But thefirst thing is academics.”

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