TRIO lab dedicated to Herrion

THOMAS HERRION No ceremony probably could have measured up to the largerthan life figure that was its centerpiece Thursday afternoon.

The Kilgore College TRIO program honored its first-ever member Thursday in front of the student services building, as they open their newly-renovated labs to the public.

In a day set aside by TRIO - a government-supported organization set up to assist students meeting certain eligibility requirements - to celebrate the opening of the newly remodeled lab, festivities will also allow attendees to reminisce and celebrate the life and accomplishments of former KC football player Thomas Herrion, TRIO's first participant, who passed away just prior to last football season following an NFL preseason game. Members of the football program, TRIO officials and his family gathered Thursday to honor the big man.

Standing 6-3 and weighing more than 300 pounds, Herrion, an offensive lineman, was an intimidating figure when the Fort Worth native appeared in the doorway of Bindy Tice, TRIO's director, in fall 2001.

"The first thing that I noticed about Thomas as he entered my office was his size," Tice said. "Having had previous opportunities to work with football players, I was used to working with big guys, but Thomas was one of the biggest. The next thing I noticed was his smile. It was as big as he was."

But as the semester progressed and Tice had more time to spend with the man teammates affectionately dubbed "Train," she also had more time to see that larger-than-life smile that would light up a room. It didn't take long for her to realize that Herrion's heart and disposition were just as big as he was.

"Thomas had such a pleasant demeanor when he would come to my office," she explained. "I always enjoyed his appointments as we worked on English assignments. I believe that Thomas and I both benefited from our study sessions - he benefited by passing the classes that we studied so hard to complete and I benefited by having my belief reinforced that students who set a goal and seek support from available resources to meet their goals will be successful."

And success is exactly what Herrion experienced, both in the classroom and on the field.

His senior season at KC, Herrion was a key contributor to the undefeated 12-0 team of 2001, winning the Hershel Curtis Lineman of the Year award.

He was also tabbed first-team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference as the Rangers claimed the SWJCFC championship and finished ranked No. 2 in the final NJCAA poll.

Thanks in part to the assistance from TRIO, he graduated on time and transferred to the University of Utah. There, Herrion spent two successful years, taking over as starting right tackle late in his junior season before being moved to the left side and anchoring the line during the Utes' 10-2 conference championship season in 2003. He was named honorable mention All-MWC tackle that season.

Herrion spent the 2004 NFL season on the practice squads of both the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. Tragically, the former KC standout, who was earning respect as a part of the Niners' offensive line passed away last August following a Niners-Denver Broncos exhibition game in Denver.

Shortly before his untimely death, Herrion had been in East Texas and visited several of his former teachers and coaches as he prepared for his first season with the 49ers. According to them, Division-I and NFL successes hadn't changed the Polytechnic High School grad one bit.

"Thomas was very important to us," KC head coach Jimmy Rieves said. "Every time he came back to Kilgore or gave us a call, which was quite often, he was the same caring person. You couldn't have asked for a better student-athlete. He took care of his business both on and off the field."

His onand off-the-field successes were well known to Tice, also. She feels that he was able to make good things happen for him because of his commitment to bring honor to his family and friends - an honor the TRIO program is trying to return in making a lasting legacy for a man that touched so many lives in such a short time.

Thursday's ceremony featured the unveiling of a plaque which will adorn the walls of the TRIO Learning Lab - a place that Herrion helped establish on the KC campus just five years ago.