Larry Templeton (2018) - Hall of Fame

Larry Templeton

Induction:
2018

Templeton served as Mississippi State's Director of Athletics for 21 years. In that time, the Bulldogs' current Athletics Director Emeritus helped MSU be an innovator in equality in sports for women, and he oversaw the additions of new and renovated facilities while focusing on keen fiscal management.

A 1969 MSU graduate, Templeton was named the Bulldogs' Director of Athletics in 1987. In his tenure, State had some of its most successful athletics seasons despite having the smallest budget in the conference. Under his guidance, MSU teams won seven SEC regular-season championships and seven conference tournament titles. Baseball went to the College World Series four times, while men's basketball made the program's only appearance in the Final Four.

His work extended outside Starkville also. In 1990, Templeton was tabbed chairman of the SEC athletic directors by his colleagues, a title he held longer than anyone. He also served on the NCAA Baseball Committee, the NCAA Championship Committee, the NCAA Management Council and the NCAA Bowl Certification Committee.

Aside from the accomplishments MSU made in competition under his watch, the Bulldogs also excelled in the classroom during his time leading the department. Because of that success, Mississippi State's Templeton Athletic Academic Center was named in his honor.