Francis Lentz Hoover, D.P.E.

Appalachian State University

Universities and colleges--Faculty

Dr. Richard D. Howe

1987

Biographical sketches

Boone (N.C.)

https://www.geonames.org/4456703/boone.html

1980s

2000-2010

Professor Emeritus

Professor Emeritus of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Francis Lentz Hoover (November 5, 1914 -), university professor and coach, was born in Statesville (Iredell County), North Carolina, the son of Robert J. and Alice Lentz Hoover. He was graduated from Statesville High School where he participated in foot­ball, basketball, and baseball. He earned his B.S. degree in mathematics and physical education from Appalachian State Teachers College, where he played football and bas­ketball. During his sophomore season, Hoover played end on the famous 1937 foot­ball team which was unbeaten and unscored upon. He earned his M.A. in physical educa­tion from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1948, and both the director of physical education degree (1957) and the doctor of physical education degree (1958) from Indiana University. Hoover began his teaching and coach­ing career at Wingate Junior College in Wingate, North Carolina, where he served as athletic director and coach of the basketball, baseball, and boxing teams, 1940-42. During the spring and summer of 1942, Hoover was the physical director at the Elkin, North Carolina Y.M.C.A. In the fall of 1942, Hoover coached freshman football at Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina. Hoover joined the United States Navy in 1942 and participated in four amphibious landings at Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and southern France during World War II. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant (j.g.), by the time of his honorable discharge in 1945. Hoover began his long career at Appa­lachian State Teachers College (now Appa­lachian State University), during the summer m * Atai of 1945. He taught courses in measurement and interpretation of data, health, athletic administration, and administration of physi­cal education. In his first year at Appalachian, Hoover coached football, basketball, and baseball. In 1946 the regular football coach came back and Hoover served as end coach for ten years, which included coaching All-America ends John Caskey and Bill Dulin. He also coached two years of baseball, one year of tennis, 12 years of basketball, and 22 years of golf. In those 12 years of basketball, plus two years at Wingate, Hoover put together an over-all record of 195 wins and 154 losses, which included coaching Appalachian's only male All-American, John Pyecha. Twelve of his players were named to all-conference teams. Also, his teams were champions or finalists four years: 1948-Carolinas Conference champions, champions of District 26, and represented the district in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athlet­ics (NAIA) national tournament 1949-Finalist in the Carolinas Conference tourna­ment 1950-Carolinas Conference champions, champions of District 26, and represented the district in the NAIA national tournament 1952-Carolinas Conference season co-champion. During his 22 years as Appalachian's golf coach, Hoover compiled a record of 190 wins, 91 losses, and eight ties, and coached NAIA Ail-Americans Austin Adams (twice), Fred Einstein, Willie Maples, John Parker, H.J. Cottrell and Billy Palmer. Dean Sigmon earned honorable mention All-America in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Hoover's record in­cluded nine Carolinas Conference champi­onships, one Southern Conference champi­onship, eight district championships, and two second place finishes in the country. In his 32 years at Appalachian Hoover coached more championship teams than any other coach in Appalachian's history. Hoover's success was not limited to Appalachian. He served for eight years on the executive committee of the NAIA, advanc­ing to the office of president for the 1960-61 year, and remained active until Appalachian withdrew from it and joined the NCAA. In 1965, he was named to the Helms Athletic Foundation NAIA Hall of Fame. While teaching and coaching at Appa­lachian, Hoover served on numerous com­mittees and councils, most notably the Ath­letic Council where he also served as secre­tary for many years. Additionally, he was a member of both the North Carolina and American Associations for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and the NAIA Coaches Association. Also, he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Epsilon Kappa. Hoover is listed in Who's Who in Col­leges and Universities and in Who's Who in American Education. Hoover married Rena Caldwell of Rock Hill, South Carolina, on July 3, 1941. She is the daughter of William Thomas Caldwell and Nancy McAteer Caldwell. Mrs. Hoover earned her A.B. degree in his­tory from Coker College in 1938, and her M.A. degree in history from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1955. She served Appalachian as both a faculty member and a staff member at one time or another for 27 years. The Hoovers have one daughter, Carolyn Alice Hoover Murray (August 29, 1945 in Durham, North Carolina -), who, in high school, played basketball, was a mem­ber of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society, and received the scholarship award for highest scholastic average. She earned her B.S. degree from Appalachian State University in 1968 where she was graduated summa cum laude. She married William Bahnson Murray, Jr., on December 20,1964, and the couple have three children: Kimberly Lynn Murray (September 1,1977 in Tucson, Arizona -), James Christopher Murray (May 15, 1979 in Tucson, Arizona -), and Joshua William Murray (April 20, 1984 in Dallas, Texas -). Hoover has served the First Baptist Church of Boone as deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and as a member of the fi­nance committee. He has also served on the board of directors of Boone Developments, Incorporated. The Boone Developments es­tablished the Francis Hoover Golf Scholar­ship in Hoover's honor at Appalachian State University. In 1977 Hoover was inducted into the Appalachian Athletic Hall of Fame. Both Dr. and Mrs. Hoover retired from Appalachian in 1977. In retirement, Hoover and fishing, and to keep up with many of his is able to indulge in his two hobbies, golfing former players. Sources: Appalachian State University files: Appalachian Focus; long association, and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe