Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1974
- Class:
- 1918
W.D. Chadwick is one of the legendary figures in Mississippi State history, having served in a plethora of roles within the athletic department from 1909-30.
Chadwick arrived in Starkville in 1909 as athletic director, head football coach and head baseball coach. He compiled an overall football record of 29-12-2 with a winning percentage of .698, which ranks third in program history.
He led the Bulldogs (then known as the Aggies) to two seven-win seasons, which had never occurred prior to his tenure. His 1910 squad recorded a record of 7-2, blanking its opponents in every victory. His team in 1911 put together a 7-2-1 mark and ended the season with a win over the Cuban Athletic Club in the Bacardi Bowl. Chadwick concluded his tenure leading the football program with a 6-1-1 overall record in 1913 and a second-place finish in the 18-team Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Chadwick made his mark as skipper on the baseball diamond, leading the program for nine seasons and putting together an overall record of 120-72-9. The Aggies won two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles under his leadership.
He spent 22 years leading the athletic department at Mississippi A&M. Some of his notable accomplishments include building football and baseball fields, tennis courts and a gymnasium.
Chadwick was killed in an automobile accident in 1934 and was described in The Clarion Ledger as one of Mississippi State’s most popular figures. Chadwick Lake on the MSU campus is named in his honor.
