CASH BIRDWELL RETIRING!
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:40 amSMU trainer retiring
Cash Birdwell will call it quits at the end of this school year
UNIVERSITY PARK – After 34 years on the job, SMU trainer, Cash Birdwell has decided to retire.
Birdwell, 64, handed a retirement letter to athletic director Jim Copeland in mid-July, saying it was time for another phase of his life.
"I'm not retiring from life," said Birdwell, who oversees training responsibilities for the football program. "I don't want to sit around the house, it would drive my wife [Lou Beth] crazy. One of the things you ask yourself, 'Is my body wearing down?' And it's not. Health-wise, I feel good, and I work out four days a week."
Birdwell will officially retire in May when school ends. Mike Morton, Birdwell's top assistant, is a candidate to move into his job.
Copeland said Birdwell is the best trainer he's dealt with in his time in athletics.
"He's touched so many lives," Copeland said. "I was saddened when he gave me the letter."
Birdwell, a Houston native, is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and Southwest Athletic Trainers halls of fame. He was selected as college trainer of the year in 1978 by the NATA. Birdwell began his career in the Garland public schools. He was an assistant trainer at West Point and the head trainer for the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams.
He started at SMU as the head trainer for all sports.
"When I first took this job, I talked to [Texas A&M director of facilities] Billy Pickard, and he told me, 'You better listen to Cash,' " football coach Phil Bennett said. "Cash has been invaluable to me. He's old school, and his knowledge is amazing."
Birdwell has developed close relationships with many players, including former star running back Eric Dickerson.
"One of a kind," Dickerson said. "I love Cash. He took care of me like a son. SMU needs more people like Cash because he cares about the program, the players and students' well-being."
Cash Birdwell will call it quits at the end of this school year
UNIVERSITY PARK – After 34 years on the job, SMU trainer, Cash Birdwell has decided to retire.
Birdwell, 64, handed a retirement letter to athletic director Jim Copeland in mid-July, saying it was time for another phase of his life.
"I'm not retiring from life," said Birdwell, who oversees training responsibilities for the football program. "I don't want to sit around the house, it would drive my wife [Lou Beth] crazy. One of the things you ask yourself, 'Is my body wearing down?' And it's not. Health-wise, I feel good, and I work out four days a week."
Birdwell will officially retire in May when school ends. Mike Morton, Birdwell's top assistant, is a candidate to move into his job.
Copeland said Birdwell is the best trainer he's dealt with in his time in athletics.
"He's touched so many lives," Copeland said. "I was saddened when he gave me the letter."
Birdwell, a Houston native, is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association and Southwest Athletic Trainers halls of fame. He was selected as college trainer of the year in 1978 by the NATA. Birdwell began his career in the Garland public schools. He was an assistant trainer at West Point and the head trainer for the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams.
He started at SMU as the head trainer for all sports.
"When I first took this job, I talked to [Texas A&M director of facilities] Billy Pickard, and he told me, 'You better listen to Cash,' " football coach Phil Bennett said. "Cash has been invaluable to me. He's old school, and his knowledge is amazing."
Birdwell has developed close relationships with many players, including former star running back Eric Dickerson.
"One of a kind," Dickerson said. "I love Cash. He took care of me like a son. SMU needs more people like Cash because he cares about the program, the players and students' well-being."
