Remembering Kwane, part 1

On December 26th, 2004, tragedy struck in Tampa, Florida. On the outskirts of Ybor City, a young man named Kwane Doster was shot and killed while sitting in the back seat of a car in a gutless drive by style. Now, sadly in this day and age, and in the climate of the United States of America, it is not uncommon for such a thing to occur.

Thousands of young men lose their lives each year to the same kind of actions done by the perpetrators of this senseless act. Many of these young men had families, had friends, had people who cared about them, and lives that they had touched before their lives were taken away from them.

For Kwane Rashid Doster, a 21-year old man at the time of his murder, he also touched many people's lives. Doster, was a student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and was a standout football player for the Southeastern Conference school, that had the respect and love of his teammates, coaches, classmates, opponents, and mostly everyone he came in contact with.

A gifted athlete, and a hard worker in the classroom, Kwane..or "Dot" was hoping to become a successful and productive member of society when he left his neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, three years prior. The son of Kelly Doster and brother of two siblings, Kwane Rashid Doster was trying to become something to look up to for his younger brother, Jermaine, who he had tried to help mentor, and just days before had presented a football award to at his alma mater.

"He appeared to have direction in life and many students looked up to him," says former Vanderbilt standout Eric Vance, who now teaches at Doster's former high school. "While I wasn't here while Kwane attended, I did get the chance to meet him on a couple different occasions."

Doster was described as a young man who did everything that his mother asked him to do. The Doster family was not blessed with the greatest of backgrounds, but they still made the very best of their situation, and Kwane was always out to do his very best in everything, including sports and in academics.

Kwane had exceled in many sports including football, baseball, and basketball, but he earned his most success on the football field at Robinson High. Doster started all four years at the school, and became one of the best all-time running backs in Tampa area history.

In one game, he caught local and national attention by gaining over 353 yards on just 17 carries and scoring seven touchdowns against Alonso High School.

Doster possessed quick cutting ability, top flight speed, running a 4.4 in the forty, and vision that made him someone very popular in his area in the talent rich state of Florida.

Through his football exploits and work in the classroom, he carried a 3.1 GPA, Kwane became a Division 1 football scholarship quality athlete. He was sought after many major institutions until an ankle injury during his senior season slowed their interest. Still, the 5-foot-11 175-pound Robinson Knight, finished his senior season with 1,299 yards rushing.

After his senior season at Robinson, Doster took some visits around the various schools that still believed in him, and in late January of 2002, he found his future home when he visited Vanderbilt.

Impressed with the school's academics, facilities, and location, Doster committed to the Commodores about a week before the 2002 National Signing Day.

"I met him on his official visit to Vanderbilt, and he really didn't say much," says former Vanderbilt offensive linemen Kenan Arkan. "I remember Coach Caldwell coming up to me during the event and pointing out what a huge steal Kwane would be for Vanderbilt, and the type of ability he possessed."

"At the time it didn't really sink in, but now I know for Coach Caldwell to say that meant this kid was something special," says Kwane's former teammate at Vandy, Kenan Arkan.

Kwane picked Vanderbilt over offers from Rutgers, South Florida, Miami (Oh), and Florida Atlantic and amongst other interested parties.

With that, and the subsequent signing and enrolling into Vanderbilt University, Kwane had already achieved greatness in his family, had already made the most of his opportunity, talent, and hard work by getting into a major University, and a high academic one at that.

Soon Kwane Rashid Doster, who had already made an impact around his hometown, would be off to a new hometown, to make an impact and affect the lives of many others.

This was the first of a five-part series in rememberence and tribute to Vanderbilt's fallen Dore, Kwane Doster. Part two will address his freshmen season at Vanderbilt. The memories shared in these pieces are contributed by a few directly affiliated with the Vanderbilt football team, but are also intended to be a fan and community tribute to a young man who should've been allowed to finish his dreams. VandySports.com wants to make sure that the young man's life, experiences, and contributions to our society never be forgotten.

To contribute to the Kwane Doster Memorial Fund, please send contributions to:

The Kwane Doster Memorial Fund

c/o Cumberland Bank

5120 Maryland Way

Brentwood, Tenn. 37027