Troy University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2019
A trailblazer in the history of Troy football, John Faircloth was a prominent fixture on the offensive line and as a linebacker during his tenure starting every game of his career from 1959-1961. The true definition of iron-man football, Faircloth averaged 56 minutes of playing time per game.Â
"If there was one word or phrase to describe John Faircloth, it would be hard-nosed,” former Troy football player Mike Amos said. “I believe he was and still is the baddest dude to play football at Troy University, he really was an outstanding player, and he lived his life hard-nosed as well off of the field.”Â
The Brundidge, Ala., native earned All-Alabama Athletic Conference honors as a junior and senior in addition to earning honorable mention Little All-America honors as a senior in 1961. Faircloth was a two-time All-Alabama Collegiate Conference selection and was selected as the team’s captain in 1961. He was a two-time team MVP and 1957 all-state selection at Pike County High School before beginning his collegiate career at Southern Union Junior College.Â
His success in the game of football did not end following his career at Troy as Faircloth went on to have a prosperous career coaching at the high school level. He led South Montgomery County Academy to a district title before moving on to serve as the executive director of the Alabama Independent Schools Association for 27 years.Â
“He did a marvelous job as a coach as well as the executive director, he ran the school system like it was supposed to be,” Amos said. “John is the kind of guy you would want in education today. He would make sure his students say yes sir/ma’am or no sir/ma’am, basically if you didn’t know the right way to live at home, he would teach you once you entered his presence.”Â
Additionally, 14 of his players went on to play collegiate football with two going on to the National Football League. Faircloth was inducted in AISA Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural class and earned multiple coach of the year honors during his career.Â
“He was a no-nonsense person and everybody knew it and respected it,” Amos said. “He was a do-it-the-right-way or don’t-do-it-at all kind of guy, and he used that motto to run the schools, to coach and in life.”
A charter member of the Troy University T Club, Faircloth also serves as the chairman of the William Clipson Scholarship Committee and is a member of the Wiregrass Hall of Fame.
“I’m glad that he is getting inducted into Troy’s Hall of Fame because he is a man with complete integrity,” Amos said. “If he said that he was going to do something, then you knew without any doubt that he did what he said. He is very loyal and as solid of a person as you can get.
“There are a few things that I still know about John and that is he exercises, stays in great shape and is a little stubborn,” Amos jokingly remarked. “He always wants to do things his way, but he really is a fantastic person. He is Troy all the way and has been that way for all of his life and he is deserving of this honor.”
