Many Chattanooga alumni, former students and members of the Tennessee State University community were saddened to receive the following information from our Alma Mater that legendary track and field coach Ed Temple has finished the great race we call life.
Perhaps no other individual, with the exception of Jesse Owens, contributed more to the success of U.S. Olympic track and field than Coach Temple. Under his tutelage, the famed women’s track and field team, the Tigerbelles, would earn more than 20 Olympic medals during his five decades (1953 to 1994) at TSU, and athletes he coached would earn several other medals during the 1960, ’64, and ’80 Olympics.
Fittingly, TSU’s official track, a boulevard that adjoins the school and a nearly 10-foot monument at First Tennessee Park in Nashville properly honors him. In 2005, the university dedicated the Olympic plaza on the main campus in order to honor Coach Temple and former Olympians, while much of its rich sports history is displayed in the official university archives and the TSU Hall of Fame.
It is with a sense of irony that the formal opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. occurs on this very week. Coincidentally, in June of 2015, officials with the new museum visited the university in order to chronicle some of its rich athletic history, such as: 2016 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee, and father of the fast break, John B. McClendon Jr., who would guide TSU’s basketball team on to win consecutive NAIA titles from 1957-59; "Big" John Merritt , who would win more than a half dozen HBCU titles, had numerous undefeated seasons, and coached players like Richard Dent and Claude Humphrey, two of the more recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees (2011, '14). Dr. Catana Starks would be the first African-American woman to coach an NCAA Division I men’s golf team and then lead it to the 2005 National Minority Golf Championship. The film From the Rough starring Taraji P. Henson is based on her career and accomplishments. Likewise, numerous TSU athletes have joined the professional ranks in sports such as football and basketball. TSU is also home to the world renowned Aristocrat of Bands, who also had the honor of participating in the official National Museum of African American History and Culture festivities during the grand opening Saturday.
For many in the TSU family, this is a bittersweet weekend, as we both commemorate the life of coach Temple and celebrate the history and heritage of the universities’ rich history, for the diverse paths trekked by those who have been fortunate enough to enter her halls have truly impacted our nation and the world, from the Freedom Riders to Dr. Levi Watkins. We who have walked her great halls know that you can never be greater than those who came before; you can only hope one day if you are fortunate enough to be amongst their mighty company, you can do so and be unashamed.
Interestingly enough, one of the great links between Chattanooga and Tennessee State University is William Jasper Hale. When Tennessee first decided to build a State Negro Normal School in 1909, the final bids of approval came down to Chattanooga and Nashville. East First Street Grammar School (and previously St. Elmo Grammar School) Principal Hale would elicit more than $70,000 for the cause, but was outbid by the powerful Nashville middle class community who pledged $100,000. Nevertheless, they identified the prowess and ability of Hale, and extended an invitation for him to become TSU’s first president. Today the universities’ on-campus football stadium, affectionately known as “the Hole”, is named in his honor.
Submitted by Eric Atkins, M.Ed. (TSU'02; UTC '14)
References
Lewis, Dwight, and Susan Thomas. A Will to Win. Mt. Juliet, TN: Cumberland Press, 1983.
Lovett, Bobby L. A Touch of Greatness: A History of Tennessee State University . Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2012.
Organ, Mike. "Ed Temple, legendary TSU, Olympic track coach, dies." The Tennessean, 23rd, September 2016.
Temple, Ed with B’Lou Carter. Only the Pure in Heart Survive. Nashville, TN: Broadman press, 1980.
Online Resources:
Tennessee State University Press Release. (2016) Retrieved from:
http://www.tsutigers.com/news/articles/2016-17/7049/ed-temple-a-life-worthy-of-gold
https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=584
http://www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/tennessee-state-university-band-performing-at-white-house
http://ww2.tnstate.edu/library/digital/hale.htm