Hall of Fame
Mike Cadore played four seasons for coach Roy Kidd’s Colonels from 1985-1988. He was a very valuable offensive weapon for the Colonels, playing wide receiver, rushing the ball from his flanker position and handling kickoff return duties. He began his career in 1985, after redshirting in 1984, with nine receptions for 137 yards, including hauling in a 39-yard touchdown reception in Eastern’s convincing 45-21 win at Louisville. Cadore scored six touchdowns as a sophomore, three on receptions including a playoff TD catches versus Furman and Eastern Illinois. He also averaged 41.0 yards on three kickoff returns and had 13 rushes for 130 yards and three touchdowns.
In 1987, he continued his offensive contribution by averaging 37.0 yards per kickoff return, setting a NCAA record 232 yards gained on kickoff returns, including a 99-yard return for a TD in the playoff game versus Northeast Louisiana. Cadore also had nine carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, and nine receptions for 107 yards and a TD. He turned in a fabulous senior season in 1987 and was named first team All-OVC as a pass receiver. His stats for that season included 26 receptions for 380 yards and three touchdowns; 19 rushes from scrimmage on flanker reverses for 303 yards and five scores; and 22 kickoff returns for 564 yards and one TD. At the time of his induction, his 30.3 yards per kickoff return still stood as an EKU record. Cadore also is part owner of EKU’s single game touchdown record when he scored four touchdowns in the season opening 48-7 win against Delaware State and finished his Colonel career with 2,355 all-purpose yards.
The NFL’s New Orleans Saints were impressed and drafted him in the 12th round, partly because of his 4.36 40-yard dash speed. Cadore finished his professional football career in Montreal Canada with the Montreal Machine. He received his bachelor’s degree from EKU in corrections and administration of justice and holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University. He closed his Eastern accolades as the winner of the Roy Kidd Achievement Award.
With more than three decades of experience in education, public safety, civic and community engagement and mentoring, at the time of his induction he served as the associate provost for Eastern Florida State College and adjunct instructor. In November 2019, he retired from the Rockledge Police Department and served his city as Rockledge city councilman. Cadore has won numerous awards in the central Florida area including: 2017 Dr. Harvey L. Riley Bridge Builder Award for his community impact; 2017 Community Leadership Award presented by Island Breeze of S. Brevard; 2015 Teddy Riley Award for development and preservation of Central Florida youth; 2014 Rockledge Police Reserve Officer of the year; 2014 member of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame; Central Florida Humanitarian Award; the Outstanding Adjunct Instructor at Eastern Florida State College (2014 & 2015) and 2014 Criminal Justice Coordinator of the Year in Brevard County.
