DES MOINES, Iowa – The late Udell Cason Jr., who served as a Drake Relays official for 52 years, has been named recipient of the Dave Mills Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
This award recognizes extraordinary volunteers whose dedication and contributions elevate the legacy of excellence associated with the Drake Relays, the Drake Road Races, the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark, and other Relays events. The award is named in memory of David Lee Mills, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 91. Mills dedicated nearly 70 years to the Drake Relays, leaving an enduring legacy through his tireless volunteer efforts and leadership.
 
Cason left his mark as an educator in the Des Moines Public School System and as a leader in the Des Moines community. He was a Drake Relays officials from 1966-2017, serving as an umpire and in later years on the awards stand. He died Jan. 24 at the age of 85.
 
A native of Glasgow, Missouri, Cason came to Iowa while in school and never left. He graduated from Des Moines East High School, where he made history as the school's first Black drum major. His academic journey continued at Drake University, where he earned both his bachelor's (1965) and master's degrees in education (1970) and was a three-year letterwinner in track and field for the Bulldogs. He received the Drake Double D Award in 1979, which recognized his athletic accomplishments at Drake and continued post-graduate success in his career along with community achievements. He also was inducted into the Drake Relays Wall of Honor.
 
In 2013, Cason received the Community Service Award from Drake, presented by the National Alumni Association, for making significant contributions to community and youth initiatives.
 
He devoted more than 30 years to shaping the future of Des Moines Public School students. He began as a math teacher at Nash Elementary and became the first African American principal in the district in 1972, serving as principal at Longfellow, Logan, Oak Park, Madison, and Moore Elementary Schools. Even after his retirement, he continued to make a difference in the lives of students and staff alike, stepping in as interim principal on 12 occasions.
 
With a steadfast belief that "education is the key to life," Cason garnered deep respect from his students, who knew him as a firm yet fair leader who knew them all by name, and from his staff, who appreciated his unwavering support during periods of change. As each school year began, he welcomed students with an introduction that included a demonstration of his Taekwondo skills. He believed that every child deserved a champion, and he lived that philosophy every day at the school gates, greeting students with a high-five and encouraging words.
 
Apart from his role in education, Cason was a pillar of the community. Known affectionately as "Super Nupe," he was a lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a founding member of the Gamma Eta Boule Club in Des Moines.



His commitment to service was evident through his involvement on various community boards, including those of Financial Plus, the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and the Willkie House, a nonprofit organization that delivers academic support, social skills building, plus health and recreational services to Des Moines youth. His Taekwondo skills earned him a 7th-degree black belt and the title of Grand Master. He cherished sharing his lifesaving, self-defense knowledge and dedicated time to mentoring others. 
 
Dave Mills' remarkable dedication to Drake University was evidenced by his long-standing service on the Drake Relays Committee from 1961-2024. He held the position of chairperson an unprecedented four times and was inducted into the Drake Relays Wall of Honor. In 2022, Mills was honored with the Drake Relays Paul Morrison Legacy Award, recognizing his lasting contributions to the Drake Relays.
 
In his working career, Mills was instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act as the former executive director of the National Rehabilitation Association. As a volunteer, his contributions extended beyond the Drake Relays to various organizations, including AARP and Planned Parenthood.