B. L. Noojin

Balpha Lonnie Noojin (August 10, 1885 – September 7, 1950)[1] was an American sports coach, educator, politician, and businessman. Noojin completed his education at the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1908. At Alabama, Noojin was associate editor of the student newspaper and annual and an member of the university's baseball team. Along with these groups he was also member of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity. Following graduation, he played baseball briefly for the Cincinnati Reds. Noojin then moved from baseball to education.[2]

Education

Noojin was born in Attalla, Alabama. He taught at the Agricultural School in Blountsville and Albertville. In Albertville, he met Willie Lucille McNaron, and married her in 1916. Noojin served as director of athletics at Howard College. At the University of Alabama, Noojin coached both baseball and basketball and served as athletic director and instructor of English, French, Spanish, physics, and chemistry[2]

Business

In 1919, he resigned from the University to join his brother in the hardware business. The Noojin brothers operated a hardware store until 1923, when they founded the Noojin Supply Company. Three years later, Noojin bought his brother's interest and managed the company on his own. Noojin became active in a number of civic activities. He was on the Board of Directors of the American National Bank of Gadsden, Alabama Power Company and the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce. Noojin was the president of the National Alumni Association and member of the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama.[2]

  • Inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame (1979)[2]

Politics

Noojin was also an active politician, serving on the Republican State Committee and the Republican National Convention.[2]

  • Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1924 (alternate), 1932, 1940, 1944, 1948[1]
  • Member, Republican National Committee from Alabama, 1940–1943[1]
  • Chairman, Alabama Republican Party, 1928–1931

Coaching

Baseball

Noojin led the Crimson Tide to five Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAA) titles in his six-year tenure. He compiled a 70–20 (.778) overall record coaching on the diamond.[3]

Basketball

Lonnie Noojin coached the Alabama men's basketball team for a single season in 1918 to a 2–5 (.286) record[4]

Football

From 1912 through 1914, Noojin was head football coach at Howard College (now Samford University). During his tenure as head coach, Noojin compiled an overall record of 10–13–2.[5] He later served as an assistant coach at Alabama, and was to serve as head coach for the 1918 season prior to its cancellation due to the effects of World War I.[6]

References
  1. "Noojin, Balpha Lonnie, Sr.". PoliticalGraveyard.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  2. "Balpha Lonnie Noojin". CBA.UA.edu. Retrieved February 23, 2007.
  3. "Alabama Baseball 2006" (PDF). RollTide.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  4. "Alabama Head Coaches All-Time Record Breakdown" (PDF). RollTide.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  5. DeLassus, David. "B. L. "Lonnie" Noojin Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  6. "Intercollegiate football abandoned at University". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Google News. August 23, 1943. p. 1. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
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