Born December 9, 1941 – Rodney played basketball at Fort Payne High School 1957 – 1960. He started every year as a guard. During his senior year in the NEAC Tournament game with Albertville the Gadsden Times described Rodney’s game as “the most amazing bit of accuracy seen on the Sansom hardwood..ever”. According to the Times with three minutes to go Rodney hit seven straight shots from the 15-20 foot range and two free throws. He scored 26 points. Rodney was named All-Conference for the 1959-60 team and for the 1958-59 team. He was recruited by Jacksonville State and actually given a scholarship without head coach Tom Roberson ever seeing him play. He started all four years at Jacksonville.
