Whether on the field or on the stage, Rob Evan knows how to work a crowd.

A former punter and kicker for the Bulldogs in the late 1980′s, Evan graduated from the University with a Finance degree in 1990 – only to strike it big on 42nd Street.

On Friday, he will return to Athens and his alma mater as a bona fide musical star, touring with composer Neil Berg in his show, “100 Years of Broadway.”

“It’ll be great to see Sanford Stadium again,” Evan said about his return. “I have a lot of New York friends coming in. I’d love to share this [city] with them and go over to the Grill.”

While path to stardom is often an uphill climb with plenty of casualties washed up on the wayside, Evan’s vocal talent has gotten him noticed from the very beginning.

From singing “Thanks for the Memories” at Vince Dooley’s farewell gala to a stint performing on a Norwegian cruise ship, Evan started small but it wasn’t long before he saw his name in lights.

Within only three months of living in New York, he was offered the prominent role of Enjolras in “Les Miserables.”

“Because it was such a successful show, it ran forever. It was the world’s greatest temp[orary] job,” Evan said.

It was a fitting role as well, considering that it was a performance of “Les Mis” at the Fox Theatre that first inspired him to enter show business.

“It [the musical] really blew me away, it shook me to the core,” Evan said.

The musical reignited a drive that had lain dormant during his time between the hedges.

“When I played for Georgia, I just put all that on back burner,” Evan said. “I didn’t really perform or sing at all during college.”

Nevertheless, Evan attributes much of his confidence in show business to his football experience.

“When it’s football at that level, there is so much pressure involved – it’s like show business,” he said.

In fact, having a “jock” background may have even given Evan the edge.

“It’s funny, I was wondering, ‘I am not the norm here, how does that work out?’” he said. “Not being the norm is a huge advantage. People are like, ‘Well you don’t fit in the chorus – you have to be lead.’ It’s great.”

Nowadays, with numerous Broadway shows under his belt, a recording contract with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and his own progressive rock band, Evan has plenty of show business know-how to share.

“I always joke – if you can do anything else, go do it,” he said. “If you can’t do anything else .follow your dreams, don’t take no for an answer. This is not something that is logical, but I feel like there is always room at the top, if you’re really driven.”

“You can’t just go up there with a dream, you’ve got to have a plan of action.”