If you looked up “toughness” in the dictionary, it might possibly direct you to see “Travis Rogers.”  When he enrolled at Ventura College in 1998, Travis brought a mental and physical toughness that would greatly improve the football team.

     Hailing from the state of Tennessee, this 5-foot-11 190-pound freshman made an immediate impression on Head Coach Terry Morris and the team in the very first scrimmage of the year.  In his first carry as a Pirate, Travis ran 80 yards for a touchdown. Over his first season, Travis would carry the ball 266 times for 1845 yards, nearly seven yards a carry. He scored a total of eight touchdowns.  Against LA Pierce, Travis carried the ball 19 times for 341 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-9 victory.  The team finished the regular season 9-2. Travis was voted team MVP, and he was selected to the all-Western State Conference first team.

     In his sophomore season, Travis scored 20 touchdowns in 11 games. He carried the ball 292 times and gained 1,622 yards.  At the end of his second year, Travis was again selected team MVP, and Travis was not only selected to the first team All-WSC Northern Division squad, but he was named the Division Player-of-the-Year.  Finally, Travis was named to the All-State Community College Football Team.  The 1999 team is the only team in Pirate history to play in the Southern California Championship Game.

     How significant was Travis to the teams? Prior to Travis arriving, the 1997 football team had a record of 1-9.  When the 1998 team registered nine wins and only two losses, it was the greatest turnaround in community college football history.  In Travis’ two years, the team played in two bowl games, winning one and losing one. With nine wins each season, 18 total victories are the most in back-to-back seasons by a Pirate football team.

     Travis may be gone, but definitely not forgotten. On the VC all-time records, Travis remains No. 1 and No. 2 on the single-season rushing list (1,845 and 1,622 yards), No. 1 on career rushing (3,467 yards), No. 1 in career scoring (168 points), and No. 3 in career total offense (3,467 yards).  It is noteworthy that two quarterbacks are in front of him on the overall yards list.  

     After leaving Ventura College, Travis transferred to Tennessee State University to continue his studies and football career.  Although NFL teams (Chief, Saints) showed interest in Travis, he did not pursue a pro career.

     Travis currently works for the Department of Children Services in Knoxville, Tenn.