Not every senior on the Eastern football roster turned in their pads and helmets after the Panthers’ season-ending 17-14 home loss to Samford on Nov. 22, 2003.

After a successful four-year career, Eastern’s senior tailback Andre Raymond was among 110 seniors from all around the country who participated in the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas All-American Classic on Jan. 17, at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The LVAAC is one of five postseason all-star games that feature the top seniors in the country. The “Classic” divides the players geographically to form an East and West squad.

When rosters came out shortly after the collegiate season began in August, Raymond was listed on the West roster as the team’s kick returner and punt returner. However, the Hialeah, Fla., native made his biggest impact not on special teams but in the backfield as he rushed a team-high eight times for 28 yards in the West’s 14-7 victory over the East.

Although Raymond suffered through an injury-plagued senior season, the speedy back still gained nearly 600 yards this past season. For his career, Raymond tallied 1,742 yards on the ground while playing a majority of his career behind two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference member J.R. Taylor.

One of Raymond’s biggest supporters, offensive coordinator and running back coach Jon Carr, was quite pleased to see his star runner get a chance to show his skills in an all-star game.

“He had disappointments this year due to injury, but Andre’s been a big part of Eastern’s offense,” Carr said. “I’m glad he was selected to play in the game.”

Raymond’s head coach for the past four years Bob Spoo said the selection was a terrific honor for both Eastern and Raymond.

“It’s great for our program and it’s great for the individual,” Spoo said. “It’s great for a player to be in an all-star game and the school gets some unintentional notoriety because you never know who out there sees the game and hears of Eastern. In the last two seasons we’ve been lucky to have the Walter Payton Award Winner (Tony Romo) and a player participate in a postseason game.”

Carr mentioned the selection of Raymond as important for a small school like Eastern to receive national attention. A majority of the participants in the LVAAC come from Division 1-A powers including Oregon, Ohio State, UCLA and Virginia Tech.

“Anytime a guy from a 1-AA program can go to an all-star game it will benefit the program because these schools normally don’t get much exposure.”

Both Spoo and Carr believe Raymond has a chance to join Romo as another Panther in the National Football League when draft day and free agent signings roll around in April.

“It really depends on which teams are interested in him,” Spoo said. “Andre is a multi-back who can lineup in the backfield as well as at the receiver position. If a team needs a guy like that, they’ll consider Andre.”

Spoo mentioned Raymond’s participation in the all-star game may have opened the eyes of NFL scouts.

“Many scouts already took notice of him at the game and I think the chances are good that he’ll get a look.”

Due to Raymond’s versatility, Carr believes the tailback may get a shot as a specialist in the NFL.

“He can play some special teams so if he makes a team he’ll be given an opportunity on special teams.”

Regardless of what the future holds for Raymond, Spoo said his tailback was a four-year star for the blue and white.

“He’s been the player we hoped for when we recruited him,” Spoo said. “He didn’t have the benefit of a red-shirt season but he went on to be a co-captain and he’s risen past our expectations of him.”