1993 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | CLEMENT EYLER
Clement Eyler came to Milligan in 1926 following his graduation from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree and from Columbia University with a master’s degree. He served Milligan as professor, basketball coach, tennis coach and as dean.
First as a hobby, but later as a profession, Dean Eyler began coaching boys' basketball. Under his guidance, Milligan teams soared to fame. He brought praise and honor to Milligan by being elected President of the National Basketball Rules Committee and president of the National Basketball Association from 1940-41.
Under Eyler, Milligan won eight Smoky Mountain Conference Championships, tied for the title once, and finished second once and third twice. In 12 years, he had 144 wins and 54 losses.
Eyler's 1936-37 club was the first one to defeat East Tennessee's Teachers twice during the regular season.
Eyler's last game at Milligan was the night of Feb. 21, 1942 when his Buffs defeated Mexico’s Olympic team 40-39.
The next day he received a telegram from the War Department ordering him into active duty in Washington D.C.
Following WWII, Dr. Eyler served as Superintendent of Bristol public schools and was a faculty member at Tennessee Tech and Cumberland College.
The March 12, 1940 issue of THE STAMPEDE reports that Dean Eyler was selected Most Popular Professor. "Eyler comes from Georgia, has been at Milligan 14 years and has definitely identified himself with the school. He is Dean of Men, head of the English Department, and an outstanding coach of basketball. This dark, quiet, dynamic man, quite reserved and ever so slightly haughty, has walked away with the title of Most Popular Professor. When he is arrogant and sarcastic, we glory in his magnificent conceit; when he is friendly and witty, we respond with delight; when he takes his place among America's distinguished men or when he brings home honor and victory for Milligan, we fondly and proudly claim him as our own. He burns us up and makes us like it so we say, 'Here's to Dean Eyler--Most Popular Professor!’"
Eyler died Feb. 16, 1979 in Cookeville, Tennessee.