University of Memphis Athletics
M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1997
Elmore Fortner came to the University of Memphis in 1953 from Puxico (MO) High School, where he teamed with Tigers Win Wilfong and Forest Arnold to win the state championship. An outstanding point guard, Fortner helped the 1055 Tiger team to an NCAA Tournament appearance and tallied 15 points and seven rebounds against Oklahoma City. He averaged a career high 12.3 points per game as a senior and totaled a career scoring average of 9.96 points per game. In 73 career contests, Fortner scored 654 points from his point guard position. Following graduation, Fortner became the head basketball coach at Messick High School in Memphis where his tea captured the city title his first season. His coaching career continued for 30 years at Bolton, Central and Wooddale High Schools. He retired from the Memphis City School System as an assistant principal in 1993.
