In 2009, he weighed 245 pounds and had a blood pressure of 210/105. His weakness was cookies, and his waist was a size 44.

Now 85 pounds lighter, ULM College of Arts & Sciences Dean Jeffrey Cass competes in Ironman competitions and is the recipient of the American Heart Association life-style change award.

Cass’ life changed from racing to the cookie box, to racing 70.3 miles in Ironman competitions.

Now he is fit, active and competitive. He completed his first half Ironman competition on Oct. 23 in Austin, Texas.

“It hurt,” he said. “Except that I kept trying to think, how can I do it better for next time?”

Cass said his legs cramped after the bike race, but while he was “in misery and in pain” he remained optimistic toward his next race.

Cass said he likes to be fit and exercise, and it treats him better than a box of cookies.

Cass blamed his weight problem on the stress of being dean. After his doctor recommended he change his habits for the sake of health, Cass took becoming fit as a new goal.

“I’ve always had a weight issue,” Cass said. “The fact is, you find yourself in a situation where it doesn’t matter. You’re big; you have to start over.”

ULM triathlon coach Lisa Colvin proposed Cass train and compete in Ironman competitions.

Cass said he wanted to lose weight the right way, without the surgeries or pills. Colvin helped Cass learn to bike and swim efficiently, and after losing about 50 pounds, he said he began running workouts.

Cass said what made weight loss easier was the people around him.

“You can’t do this without a team of people,” he said. “I think when people try to do this alone, it is a mistake.”