E. C. Glass High School teacher Rod Camden retired in June of 2025 after 54 years of service to the school. Alumni, staff members, and students held a ceremony to honor Camden last month. School Principal Dani Rule presented an official proclamation naming May 22, 2025 Rod Camden Recognition Day. A brick engraved with his name was added to the school’s Wall of Excellence, which recognizes notable coaches, teams, staff, students, and alumni through the E. C. Glass Athletic Boosters.
Since he began teaching at E. C. Glass in 1971, Camden has helped shape generations of future leaders. He taught calculus to thousands of students and led the math department for many years. He’s known for starting the E. C. Glass girls’ cross country program in 1978 and shepherding the school’s cross country and track programs to success. Camden led hundreds of students over his 40 years as a track and cross country coach, including 13 all-state athletes.
“Rod Camden, as my high school coach, was a father figure and a role model to me. Rod believed in me way before I could see my own potential,” said the school’s current outdoor track coach, Rodney Smith. “It was his words of encouragement as a high school athlete that led me to three state championships. It’s those same words of encouragement that have led me to the success I have experienced as a high school head coach.”
Camden was the head E. C. Glass cross country coach from 1972-1988. From 1972-2012, he served as the school’s indoor and outdoor track distance coach. He received a plethora of awards over his 40 years as a coach, including the 1981 Walt Comack Award and the 1987 Virginia High School Coaches Association Cross Country Coach of the Year award.
“When I was asked to succeed Rod as the distance coach in 2013, I was hesitant at first. Whenever you follow in the footsteps of a legend, it usually spells disaster. Rod Camden made sure that didn't happen,” said current E. C. Glass cross country coach Van Porter. “The transition was made easy because he was so generous with his time, experience, and often his wallet. He continues to demonstrate his strong commitment to the success of the programs he built and cares deeply about.”
His reputation as an academic and athletic powerhouse also started early. After graduating as the valedictorian of his high school class in 1964, Camden enrolled in the University of Richmond and joined Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honor society in the United States. He ran track at the University of Richmond, where two of his relay records still stand today. After graduating from college, he started at E. C. Glass in 1971.
“Rod has left his imprint on the track program in a way that will never be duplicated,” said former E. C. Glass athletic director Frank Murray.
Camden may be preparing to enjoy a well-earned retirement, but his legacy lives on. In addition to a spot on the Wall of Excellence, Camden is included in the E. C. Glass Athletic Hall of Fame. A scholarship is also awarded in his name to a high-achieving E. C. Glass student every year. He touched thousands of lives as an educator and coach, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.
“Coming to E. C. Glass was one of the best decisions of my life,” Camden said.
