Davidson College enjoyed many of its greatest athletic achievements while Dr. Scott served as Director of Athletics (1954-75). During his tenure, Davidson College teams won 19 Southern Conference Team Championships and 41 Individual Championships in soccer, cross country, football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, tennis, track, and golf.

As golf coach from 1955-1976, his teams won the Southern Conference title five times. From 1955-1959, he also found time to coach men’s basketball. When he replaced himself by hiring Lefty Drisell as basketball coach, he made a move that would yield several Top 10 rankings and three NCAA bids over the next nine seasons, and forever raise the standard for Davidson athletics.

Dr. Scott made a mark on regional sports as five-term president of the Southern Conference, where he chaired the conference’s committees on media, basketball, and golf. In 1966 he was appointed to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, and served as it chairman from 1969-1974. Here he oversaw major changes in the NCAA Tournament, including expansion of the field to 64 teams and negotiation of the television contracts that remain a standard in sports broadcasting.

Dr. Scott’s impact was felt beyond the field of play. Four Davidson student-athletes won Rhodes Scholarships under his watch, and numerous others won postseason awards and scholarships. He spearheaded Davidson’s preparations for the introduction of women’s athletics on campus in 1974. Dr. Scott also worked to facilitate integration of Davidson athletics, and was a leader in efforts to integrate athletics throughout the South.

For more information please contact the DAF office.