Ralph Adams (2012) - Hall of Fame - Troy University Athletics

Ralph Adams

Induction:
2012

A collegiate athletic program can neither survive, nor be successful without a strong commitment from its university and from the university’s leadership. Dr. Ralph Adams was sworn in as the President of Troy State College on Oct. 1, 1964, and what was to follow was a firestorm of success both academically and athletically.

Adams, a college roommate of then Alabama Governor George Wallace, led Troy State to university stature and a name change to Troy State University in 1967. Adams brought unprecedented growth to Troy State. His philosophy of establishing programs to meet the needs of the students, and the needs of the time in which they lived, revived a policy first brought to Troy by former President Edwin Ruthven Eldridge.

As a former military airman and businessman, Adams created degree-delivery programs at military installations that eventually developed into centers and finally into branch campuses of the University. Military residence centers opened at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., in 1965, and in Phenix City, Ala., near Fort Benning, Ga., in the mid-1970s. In 1986 Adam’s title was changed from President to Chancellor to reflect the University’s development into a multi-centered educational system.

“Dr. Ralph Adams recognized that a great University stirs great emotions! Thus, a rallying point for alumni and students is essential,” Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., said. “He knew intercollegiate athletics can fill that role. His leadership and vision propelled Troy’s athletics program into its first golden age and, through the securing of membership in the NCAA, laid the foundation for much of the success we enjoy today.”

Athletically, the Trojans dominated their competition across many sports and across many different levels of competition. Fellow Troy University Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Billy Atkins was hired in 1966 as the new football head coach and led the Troy State football team to a 11-1 record in 1968 and the school’s first National Championship. Quarterbacking that team was another member of the Inaugural Troy University Sports Hall of Fame class in Sim Byrd.

Troy won NCAA Division II National Championships in 1984 under Chan Gailey and in 1987 under Rick Rhoades. During Adams’ tenure as University President and Chancellor, Troy State had six football head coaches and five posted winning records; the Trojans posted a 165-87-7 mark during Adams’ career.

Troy’s athletic success was not limited to the football field as the baseball team captured national championships in 1986 and 1987 under Troy University Sports Hall of Fame inductee Chase Riddle; the men’s golf team won national championships in 1976, 1977 and 1984 under Mike Griffin and the women’s golf team won national championships in 1984, 1986 and 1989 under Chris Force.

Adams served as the first president of the Mid-South Conference, now the Gulf South Conference, which was a charter NCAA Division II member in 1970.

A native of Samson, Alabama, Adams was named the City of Troy’s Man of the Year in 1968 and 1975. Adams served as a member of the Educational Commission of the States and was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the Presidential Clemency Board and by President Ronald Regan to the Education Appeal Board.

Adams was a Major General in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, a former state commander in the American Legion and a generous supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.

Adams passed away on May 13, 1998.