MSU Athletics

Dr. D.L. Ligon came to Midwestern State, then Hardin Junior College, in September 1937 and served the institution in numerous roles over the next 53 years.

Ligon coached basketball, baseball, track and tennis along with his teaching duties.

He was the first Dean of Men, Dean of Administration, Dean of Graduate School and served in other major administrative positions including Acting President, Executive Vice President and Director of University Development.

Ligon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Texas State University in 1931 before finishing a Master of Education (1938) and Doctorate of Education (1950) degrees at the University of Texas.

D.L. Ligon was officially named "Mr. Midwestern" by the MSU Student Council for his outstanding service in 1965.

Following his retirement from teaching in 1970, he became Director of Sports Information and continued to serve in that capacity until 1990.

Ligon was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1973, awarded the NAIA Award of Merit in 1978 and was named the NAIA Outstanding Sports Information Director in 1983.

He was also active in the Wichita Falls community as he was selected as the Wichita Falls Distinguished Salesman of the Year (1983) and the Downtown Rotary Club's Distinguished Senior Citizen (1987).

"Midwestern State is probably the only university in the United State with the former president serving as the Sports Information Director," MSU coaching legend Dr. Gerald Stockton once said. "Probably the finest honor to be bestowed on D.L. Ligon came on Oct. 17, 1975 when the University named the D.L. Ligon Coliseum!"