M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1977
Dr. Cecil C. Humphreys, who is the individual most responsible for bring the University of Memphis into Division 1-A of the NCAA, is the first recipient of the Golden Tiger Award, an annual award presented in his name. A native of Paris, Tennessee, Humphreys played football for the University of Tennessee, where he received his bachelors and masters degrees, and was honored for his athletics by being named to Sports Illustrated’s Silver Anniversary All-America Team in 1960. He earned his doctoral degree at New York University. Humphreys first association with the University of Memphis started in 1937 as a history teacher and coach. He became an assistant coach under former head coach Allyn McKeen and aided McKeen in leading the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1938. In 1939 Humphreys took over as head football coach and directed the program until the end of the 1941 season when he left the University to join the FBI. He stay with the Bureau and the United States Navy throughout World War II and returned to Then Memphis State College in 1947. He became president of the University in 1960 and remained in the President’s Office until 1972 when he left the University to become Chancellor of the State University and Community College System. The National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame presented him with the Americanism Award in 1966 and he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.Â
