Caston Dorrell join foundation

FAYETTEVILLE — Two former University of Arkansas student-athletes, Marvin Caston and Jessica Dorrell, have joined the Razorback Foundation as assistant directors marking a pair of milestones in the history of the organization.

Caston, a former football student-athlete, is the first African-American to join the Razorback Foundation’s fundraising staff. Dorrell, a former All-SEC volleyball player, is the first female member of the fundraising staff.

"We are excited two of our former Razorback student-athletes have joined the team at the Razorback Foundation," Long said. "Marvin and Jessica are both outstanding individuals who love the University of Arkansas and have served the program well in their previous positions.

"As the first African-American and the first female member of the Razorback Foundation’s fundraising staff, Marvin and Jessica will play important roles in our efforts to grow and diversify the membership of the Razorback Foundation and the A-Club. I know that they are both eager to be a part of the Razorback Foundation team as it moves forward in supporting all of our men’s and women’s programs."

Caston lettered in football from 1996-99 and is moving to the Foundation from the Student Life office where he was assistant athletic director. He was in his fifth year as a member of the athletic department after previously working in compliance. He also worked in compliance at South Florida.

Caston, from Winnsboro, La., played on teams going 4-7, 4-7, 9-3 and 8-4, respectively. The 1998 team shared the SEC Western Division title, played Michigan in the Citrus Bowl and ended the year ranked No. 16 in the nation. The 1999 club beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl and ended the season ranked No. 17. Caston was a member of the 1999 SEC Academic Honor Roll and has earned a bachelor’s of arts and a master’s in education from the University of Arkansas.

Dorrell lettered from 2004-07 in volleyball. Dorrell, from Aledo, Texas, earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors in 2007, was named to the SEC’s all-freshman team in 2004, was second-team All-SEC in ’07 and earned SEC Player of the Week honors as a senior.

One of only 13 members of Arkansas’ 1,000-kill club, Dorrell is seventh on the career list with 1,310. She had 507 as a senior and hit .220. She helped the Razorbacks go 17-16, 21-12, 16-13 and 12-19, respectively. The 2004, ’05 and ’06 clubs earned NCAA Tournament bids with the 2006 team advancing to the second round before finishing 21-12. Dorrell graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2008 with a degree in finance and marketing. She is currently working on a master’s in business administration.

"Jessica and Marvin are great additions to our staff and will allow us to improve our outreach to former student-athletes as well as expand our support of the Razorbacks," Horton says. "Each one is going to be responsible for helping with the annual fund. In addition they will be involved in many special events associated with our fund raising efforts.

"Both will be involved in helping increase membership in not only the Razorback Foundation, but also the Razorback A-Club. We want to increase the membership and expand it to former student-athletes. Marvin and Jessica will help build relationships with former student-athletes at all levels and in all sports."