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Dr. R.L.
Landers is a dedicated servant of high school athletes in Florida,
having served as a high school official in a number of sports for
more than 40 years.
Landers was born and raised in Texas, and grew up during the Great
Depression. He excelled in the athletic program at Bedias High
School, lettering four years in football and basketball. He
also was the co-captain of the football team and captain of the
basketball team.
He was awarded college
scholarships to both Texas A&M and Sam Houston State, but four
months after his high school graduation, Landers enlisted in the
U.S. Coast Guard and served four years during World War II.
While in the service, he played basketball and softball, and
officiated basketball, softball and baseball.
At the end of the war,
Landers returned to Texas and enrolled in Baylor University where
he played basketball and baseball. He also played semi-pro
baseball and volleyball. Landers graduated in three years with a
degree in Business Administration with minors in Economics and
History. He earned his Master's degree in 1958 and his
Doctorate in 1976.
Landers moved his
family to Florida in 1954. For nine years he was business manager
and a teacher of Business Education at Fern Hall Private School.
In 1963, he joined the Physical Education staff at Broward
Community College where he remained until his retirement in 1990.
For 10 years, Landers was HPRD Division Chairman. At various
times he served as athletic director and coached basketball,
baseball, softball, and men's and women's golf.
Landers first
registered as an FHSAA basketball official in 1954 with 10 years
experience. He registered as an FHSAA football official the
following year. He also has registered as an official in baseball,
softball and volleyball, and remains active in all those sports
except baseball. He has worked a number of state playoff
games in various sports, and has worked state tournaments in
football, boys basketball and girls basketball.
Landers started the
first football and basketball officials associations in Broward
County and is a charter and life member of both. He also is
co-founder of the Broward softball and volleyball officials
associations.
For 15 years, Landers was a member of the Fort Lauderdale Parks
and Recreation Board. The R.L. Landers Softball Field was
dedicated in 1985.
Landers and his wife, Helen, have been married for over 50 years. They
have two sons, Robert and James, a daughter-in-law, and two
grandchildren. |