Kenneth Dement

Bio

Kenneth Dement grew up in Sikeston, Missouri. He was football captain, basketball player, band member, and honor student. He moved on to Southeast Missouri State and was a two-platoon tackle. He stood 6-3 in height, weighed 212, and was team captain in 1954. In his sophomore year, Kenneth Knox, who had coached Dement in high school, became Southeast Missouri coach. A teammate, Marvin Rosegarten, has described Dement, "He played both ways and was like a linebacker on defense. He roamed around, making tackles all over the field. He had great speed and stamina." The New York Giants drafted Dement, but he joined the Marines instead of playing pro. He graduated from officers training school at Quantico, Virginia, 22nd in a class of 508. He became a captain in the Marines. After his Marine service, Dement entered law school at Washington University in St. Louis and graduated in 1961. He started law practice in his home town, Sikeston. He had a prime career as a trial lawyer, wrote articles for law publications, and was interviewed on "60 Minutes" , the CBS weekly TV show. Two of his six children became lawyers; others were school teachers and high school football coaches. Southeast Missouri named him to its board of regents; he became board president. Dement was named commissioner of the Southeast Missouri regional Port Authority. In 1989 Southeast Missouri retired No. 40, his jersey number.

Career Highlights

• 1954 All-Conference
• 1954 First Team All-America (College Div., NAIA)
• 1953 All-Conference