Floyd Burdette

Burdette was born at Martin, Tennessee on September 5, 1914.^[1] He attended UT Junior College (now known as the University of Tennessee at Martin) in 1935 where he was a member of the basketball team.^[2] Burdette led the Mississippi Valley Conference in scoring and was a selection to the all-conference squad, but transferred to Murray State University after the season.^[2] As a member of the Racers squad for the 1936, 1937 and 1938 seasons, Burdette was both their leading scorer and was selected All-SIAA in each season.^[3]

After he graduated from Murray State, Burdette went to graduate school at Oklahoma A&M (now known as Oklahoma State University) in 1939.^[4] As he pursued his master's degree in physical education, Burdette coached the Cowboys freshman team. He then played for the Oklahoma City 89ers AAU basketball team in Oklahoma City before he returned to Oklahoma A&M to head the school's air crew training program during World War II.^[4] As a result of changes to eligibility requirements for participation in intercollegiate athletics due to the war, Burdette played for Henry Iba as a center on the 1943–44 Oklahoma A&M basketball squad.^[4][5]

Burdette served as head men's basketball coach at Alabama from 1946 through 1952. During his six-season tenure with the Crimson Tide, he amassed an overall record of 81 wins and 59 losses (81–59).^[6] After he left Alabama, Burdette returned to his hometown and coached at the University of Tennessee at Martin from 1952 to 1971. During his nineteen-year tenure with the Pacers, he amassed an overall record of 197 wins and 201 losses (197–201) and the 1970 Volunteer State Athletic Conference championship.^[7]