Well, my experience in South Hall was highlighted by a not so pleasant encounter with Coach Armstrong. One Friday night, myself and another baseball player roommate decided to have a battle with some golfers who resided on the first floor with us. Me and my roommate ended up aquiring a fire extinguisher and using it against said golfers. Needless to say, the yellow powder found its way onto the floor which it covered quite well. Unfortunately, it didn’t disappear before morning, when Coach Armstrong took a tour of our hallway. I knew it was bad when I could hear him screaming down the hall, and his voice became louder as he approached our room. As he opened our door, with some force, I feigned being asleep, which only inspired Coach to get louder and more creative with his words. I can still hear him yelling my name to get out of bed (the golfers had snitched us out) in a somewhat demanding tone. We spent a lot of time cleaning up our mess, and I was banned from eating in the dining hall for a week. Thank goodness for Mrs. Armstrong who saw that we did not go hungry. I’m sorry to hear of Coach Armstrong’s battle, but know that he is a fighter. May God bless Coach Armstrong and his family.
Rodney A. Bright, Memphis State Baseball 1985-88.
Hey Coach!
i just wanted to drop you a line and wish you well! Every time i reflect on my college life i remember the mornings and I laugh! I never told you thank you for the memories but i have a lot of them thanks to you and you always started my morning with a smile or a laugh. Thanks for being the dorm dad you were and only you could ever have been that type of dorm dad. I missed some classes from time to time but there were a lot more that i went to because you were on my butt!! You left the athletic department better than you found it and i left The University of Memphis a better man than for having you in my life! Thanks for all you have done for me and thousands of other student athletes that attended MSU and The U of M! Get well soon!
Coach Armstrong and his lovely family was a mom and dad away from home when I first entered South Hall. I will never forget the wake-up knocks with his baseball bat to ensure that we were up and headed to class. I can still hear him say “wake-up, sharpen your #2 pencils and get your butt to class” like it was yesterday. I was very young and immature and Coach Armstrong did not allow me to get away with anything in my time in Memphis. What a fine man and I want him and his wife to know how much I appreciate them for all they did to help me transition to being a man. I will lift you and your family up in prayer and know that you made a difference in my life and many others.
Well Coach A,
I could talk about the smack-taking between football & basketball players at the dorm. Or, how the golfers (first floor) tried being athletes by hanging out on the 3rd floor, or the fight in the lobby that knocked over a potted plant that belonged to Mrs. A. But, one of my finer moments begins early on a Saturday morning!
It’s about 7:00 am. My day off! When all the sudden the door is being rocked off its hinges and keys are jingling and Coach A is screaming for Dennis Isbell’s head! The door comes flying open and Coach is screaming for Bell. The only problem was Dennis wasn’t there, but my girfriend was. I got in all kinds of trouble (not because of anything I did) because my roommate had made Coach A mad as a hornert about something.
If only we could turn the clock back! I loved those days with you and your family Coach! Thank you for everything that you’ve done for the University and the thousands of athletes that you’ve touched.
Hank McDowell
I always will remember understanding the importance of number 2 pencils, crayons and coloring books as I prepared to go to college. Coach made a lasting impression with his quips and humerous stories. You only hoped they were not directed at you. As I became a junior and senior Coach would begin with various history lessons and his pearls of wisdom. I always left for class with a chuckle.
Coach , Mrs. Armstrong and their family always made me feel welcome. I was twelve (12) hours from my home in North Carolina and did not get to leave the dorm very often. The Holidays were always quiet with most of the guys having gone home, but the Armstrongs were always there. Thanks so much for your care.
Jon Albright Memphis State Basketball 1980-84
One of my favorite memories of my football experience at Memphis and with Coach A. was the first time I met him. It was during Fall camp my Freshman year and I heard him use a saying that I still “Barrow” from him today. It was very early in the morning and all of the freshman had to get from South Hall to the Athletic Complex, and as we were getting into the vans to go over there I heard Coach A. say the saying that I remember him by. He would say, ” to be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is to be left”. I can still hear him say that to this day. Coach A. is a Great Man and I am sad to hear about his condition. I just hope he knows the positive impact that he had on so many people, and Memphis Tigers throughout his time at the University. They say you can’t take anything with you when you leave this world, and that may be true but what Coach A. realized a long time ago is that is not the important part. The important part is what you leave behind, he has left lasting memories with so many people and helped shape the character of the young men that he came in contact with and he will not be forgotten. This is a great way for us to keep up with how he is doing and I hope people write down some of their stories because I am sure we will all feel like we were there and experienced those same things.
When you think University of Memphis athletics you think Coach Armstrong. When you think South Hall you think Coach Armstrong. Coach A is one of the finer men, coaches, fathers, husbands, I know. The guidance and discipline he provided to thousands of University of Memphis/Memphis State athletes is priceless. He’s a major reason why anyone who ever lived in South Hall under Coach A’s supervision has enjoyed any kind of success. I still recall and miss those days of Coach A walking down the hall, banging on doors yelling COLLEGE TIME, COLLEGE TIME!. Coach Armstrong would open your door (early in the morning), wake you up with “verbal pleasantries” he could only think of. Coach Armstrong you are sincerely appreciated, loved, respected, and admired. Thank you so very much Coach for being who you are!
Coach Armstrong was an amazing person to have in the middle of the craziness we called college. While most of us attempted to get into as mischief as possible without getting arrested (and going to class every now and then) Coach Armstrong was waking us, running us, feeding us, and talking to himself with his hand in perpetual motion. He was the most imitated coach at South Hall, but no one could perfect the complexity of all his mannerisms. My favorite story happened one Sunday evening while I and my roommate were sitting in our room watching TV. All of the sudden we heard the door knob rattling. The door burst open and Coach Armstrong let himself in. We both were waiting for him to say something, but he never did. He just walk over to our miniature refrigerator, open it, and pull out a cold twelve pack of beer. As he left our room with the beer in tow, he turn to us as he closed the door and said, “This light beer is for (wimps), don’t anybody drink real beer anymore?” Memphis wouldn’t have been Memphis without Coach Armstrong.
Just like everyone that has or will post to this site, I always have thought you were best thing in the world for U of M athletics. You kept any athlete that had to set foot on the south campus in line. My favorite memories are of you driving around the gas powered golf cart with that “trash pincher” device…making fun of coach Hop and coming on our bus before road trips and telling us things like “…don’t tell me about the pain, just show me the baby” or “…shoot hard and shoot low-the prize is victory.” That always motivated us as a “baseball” team.
The funnies is when Coach A would come in the weight room while the baseball team was lifting weights and tell us to “get the heck(or something to that effect) out of here and go hit some baseballs!!…Babe Ruth never lifted weights!”
It has been 35 years since I showed up as a stupid freshman, excited to be there, but scared to death. I can still hear that booming voice of Coach Armstrong . . . “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING???” He reigned terror over us young freshman, making you tremble at the sound, but after a year or so you knew it was all a bluff. It was then you noticed the grin after he yelled at you.
Okay, Coach. I confess. One night I sneaked 4 girls into the dorm who wanted to say they had been in there. We knew the penalty for getting caught, but it WAS 4 girls. When the word came you were headed down the hall checking rooms, I panicked. I could hear the doors opening one by one from your key. When you got to mine, I was on the bed with a book. You said “lights out” and went on. You didn’t know I had shoved them into the bathroom. I didn’t know my suite mate was in there with his paper. It was a very awkward situation since they could not come out and he could not get up. It was a memorable night for all, but thank goodness not for you!
I have great memories of those days, and Coach Armstrong is always in the middle of them. I am appreciative of the impact he had on me, and it was always great to know that he was still there, years after I was gone. Some things never change.
Steve Blume
Football ’73-’75
I’ll always remember coach Armstrong for his dedication to all of U of M sports, including one of his least favorite (soccer). Basically because we used the football fields for our practices and he did not enjoy that at all!! But he always found ways to show his support for our teams. Attending many of our games and just being there for us.
Coach Armstrong is a model of everything a man represents. During my time at Memphis, I was a young and immature college kid with no real direction. Coach Armstrong set boundaries and taught me the value of hard work and character. More importantly, he taught me about consequences and opportunity. I often think back to a sign which hung by the dining hall door in South Hall that read ” Your actions and appearance speak so loud, I cannot hear a word you say”. That same sign hangs in the room of my son today. That statement is the backbone of everything the Armstrong Family exemplifies. My favorite Coach Armstrong story is one that shows how much he loved to compete and win. We had just beaten Ole Miss in the Liberty Bowl and were riding the buses back to South Hall. It was parents weekend, so it was quieter than usual on the bus due to many parents riding back to the dorm with us. As we approached South Hall, Coach Armstrong could contain his excitement no longer. He turned and announced to the whole bus “I’d rather walk through hell with gasoline underwear than mess with them Memphis State Tigers!” God Bless you Coach, you have affected so many lives, including mine, in ways that cannot be measured.
Coach Armstrong was a daddy away from home for most who lived at South Hall. I remember my first night in Memphis. It was freezing cold in the room and I arrived only with a razor thin blanket. I was having problems getting adjusted being away from home and cold when he open the door for the nightly checks. Like a daddy, he recognized that I was cold and missing home. He closed the door and came back minutes later with a nice warm blanket. He spared my pride about missing home and allowed me to deal with it which attributed to my self developement and growth afterward. There are hundreds other examples of Coach Armstrong impact on my life. Coach, we all love you and admire who you are. May God bless you and keep you.
I can honestly say that i haven’t woken up the same as i did at south hall in the past 12 years. days were certainly started with either laughter or a good old-fashioned, and probably well deserved, butt chewing. i certainly appreciate the role that you played in my life at that time and the impact that you had on me. i will never forget the morning that you threatened to “call yo’ damn mama” after finding beer next to my bed. what a butt chewing that was. incidentally, so you will know, that was not my beer. it belonged to marco and one of your kickers, andy mc! thanks again for being so great. i honestly appreciate, admire, and respect you.
I will always be in debt to Coach Armstrong. After my sophomore year of football I tore my knee to shreds during offseason drills. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue on with the team and ended up taking the fall semester off from school to earn enough money to re-enroll in the spring, since I was a walk-on. That fall, there was the coaching change from Coach Scherer to Coach West. I contacted Coach Armstong about a possible return to the team with Coach West’s approval. Although this return never did materialize, Coach Armstrong took it upon himself to set up a meeting with Ms. Horton(the athletic academic advisor at the time) so that I could get back in school and on schedule for graduation, even though I was no longer a part of the football team. I sat down sometime that spring and wrote Coach Armstrong a letter letting him know how much that simple gesture meant to me. It probably wasn’t that big of a deal to him, but it meant the world to a twenty-year-old kid who just watched his playing career end a few months before. Coach “A”, I am sorry to hear about your condition, but wish you and your family the best. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and thank you again.
The one thing no one ever wanted to do was to let Coach A down. I think I feared death less than disappointing the man, especially since I was a special teams guy. In 1994, my senior year, we travelled to Louisville to play the hated Cardinals. It was a huge game and we all knew how important it was. During pre-game warmups I felt a twinge in my right hamstring. At first I thought I could just stretch it out, but the closer the game got I knew it was going to be a problem. I told Coach A about the problem and he asked if I was ok to play. I told him I was going to try. Well, after the first punt I knew that I was not going to be able to continue despite my fears of telling Coach A. I drummed up the strength to tell him and he just stares at me for what seemed like forever and then he turned and walked away. I had let the man down, and telling him was harder than I ever imagined.
We go on and end up losing a very close game in the waning minutes, and the flight back to Memphis is long and quiet. The only thing I remember Coach saying to me for the rest of the day was to bet at the complex early the next day for treatment.
I arrive early, as instructed and after team meetings we go out to “work the kinks out”. I am still unable to fully participate so I am an observer. Coach A still hasn’t said anything to me, other than instructions to be at treatment. I am feeling pretty self-conscious at this point. Coach A finally calls up all of the special team guys on field one and he is asking the other guys how they feel. “is your leg tired?”, “do you need more reps?”, things like that. Then all of the sudden Coach A turns and looks at me. I am thinking, here it comes! Coach A scowls, and in that deep, gruff voice he says, “Bertling! I have one question.” I say, “yes Coach?” “Bertling, how in the HELL do you pull FAT!” At that point the whole group bursts into laughter and simultaneously I knew that I was gonna be just fine.
There is no way I can ever describe the impact that Murray Armstrong has had on my life. Other than my father and mother, he is the most influential person in my upbringing. The phrase “anything easy, isn’t worth a damn” will always echo in my mind. So many of us are better people because he and Mrs. Armstrong treated us just like we were there own kids. I am honored and blessed to have had a small place in their life. Thank you Coach and Mrs. A. We love you both.
well of all the people that i was introduced to/coach and his lovely wife joan/keep me from leaving with less than a week working with doc smith
coach i can always say you are a credit to the coaching profession
and to the people that you watched /and the one i remember was knocking on jim goate door and telling him to deliver the keg of beer
back to the alley where he had borrowed it in overton square
You were and always will be atrue southern gentleman/mean when
you had to but with a solid gold heart/May God always be with you
and again Thank you for your leadership/everyday/to everyone
I just received Tim Duncan’s email concerning Murray’s condition. I didn’t know Murray was sick or I would have reach out much earlier, but of course that’s typically Coach Armstrong’s way. A true Man’s Man.
So here is an example of this so called “dorm daddy” who we all love and admired.
In the fall of 1978, I was a walk on for MSU Football Team. The agreement I had with my dad was he would pay for one year, so I can live in athletic dorm so I could try in fulfilling my aspiration towards being a college football player.
As anyone knows , being a walk on is difficult not only having to compete with other fine athletes but with scholarship players ,who the university has invested their time and money in bring in towards developing the school’s football program.
As a scout team / blocking dummy member, I had the opportunity in being under the watchful eye of a coach, named Murray Armstrong. Murray was not only supportive in my quest but a personal confidant in which during those challenging first month’s I would have discussion around my fears and desire in making the football team. Of course, he would always say continuous performance on the field is the critical factor towards either having success or failure, bottomline. Perform better than the other guy. Of course , that’s easier said than done sometimes, But Murray provided an open ear and encouragement to this walk – on player. He didn’t have to do this but it’s because of type of man he is. One with Integrity, Committment, Loyality. He always showed passion .. lot’s of “verbal passion” in supporting and caring for his scout team members and kickers. Murray and Barbara were always there for us all. I’ll never be able to repay Murray for his support and mentoring during those 5 years I player for the Tigers. As I hope he knows, he was important influence during my college years.
Thank you Coach, I would have never reached my college playing dreams without your mentoring and support.
With love and respect to you all,
Mike Dion
Tiger Football 1978 – 1982
I would find it very hard to believe that there is any person/family who has given more to Memphis State/University of Memphis than Coach Armstrong and his family. Both Coach and Mrs. Armstrong made a positive impact on so many young mens lives over the years. Every athlete in the dorm mattered to Coach and Mrs. Armstrong and it showed in how they treated/respected each and every athlete who lived in their home(South Hall).
Amazingly, Coach always remembers every player and easily calls them by name. I remember how he always rembered parents names when they visited the dorm. How? Why? you might ask. BECAUSE IT/PEOPLE MATTER TO HIM. I still try to be 10 minutes early to any commitment/event and send in emails to the players/parents of kids I coach “If your 10 minutes early your 10 minutes late!!!”
I’m sure every athlete remembers the thousands of quotes Coach Armstrong hung on the walls. My favorite is “Never let it be said of you, He had the will but his body failed him.” I first saw that quote during camp my freshman year and used it as inspiration/motivation to during workouts/conditioning during my playing days. I constantly repeat that quote to my 3 sons and every player I coach in youth sports.
I still spell 6- C I X – when my peewee football team scores a touchdown because that is how Coach Armstrong would spell 6 when he was taunting the 1st string defense after his scout team had scored a touchdown on them. He would shout “YEAH THATS RIGHT C I X 6 POINTS!!!!!!
I have so many positive memories/experiences because of Coach Armstrong. I appreciate the opportunity to tell both Coach & Mrs. Armstrong how glad I am to have shared part of my life with them. They provided me with many fond memories and helped prepare me for life beyond football and South Hall. The values/morals they represent
will continue for many years in the lives of the athletes/young men they coached/parented while at the university.
Coach Armstrong is a Bigger Than Life Personality who always remains true to his thoughts/beliefs. THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES. THANK YOU FOR THE WORDS OF WISDOM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I LOVE YA’LL.
In the fall of 1965 I was a Freshman football player on Coach Armstrong’s undefeated Freshman Tiger team. Two wins against Southern Illinois and Gordon Military Academy and a win and a fight(also won) that raged about 15 minutes at the end of the Southern Mississippi game. Go figure!
I think it was two years later, I’m fairly certain it was Skeeter Gowan’s team, but the Freshman Tigers lost 33 to 0 to LSU and I think that was the halftime score also. The story goes that Coach Armstrong strolled into the locker room at half time with that really mean and angry look that he liked to give to people to show he was serious about something. He was drinking one of those bottle cokes and he stops in the middle of the room with players doing all kinds of things around him and he suddenly throws the coke bottle to the floor as hard as he can and coke and glass flys everywhere. It scared everyone of them including a few 260 pound tackles. The strategy obviously worked because the team played enormously better the second half.
Back at Robinson Hall it was all anybody could talk about and I think it was Rusty Nunn walked up to coach and said, “you really didn’t do that did you”
Coach looked at him and got this giant grin on his face and said, “Yep, I really had ‘em going”
That was a lot of the way Coach Armstrong was and while I haven’t seen him in years, the last time at the Superlo grocery on Southern a few years back, he probably is exactly that way today. Yell loud to be heard, grimace and growl for effect, but deep down inside where it really counts he was a Prince.
Coach A,
Reading these stories makes me laugh and want to cry. Arriving in 1999, I was unfortunate to live in South Hall when you ran the place. I will admit, things were a bit wilder after your tenure.
I do have on estory that will NEVER leave my memory. As a young freshman manager, Bo Hazlewood and I came up with an idea that we would practice our golf chipping on Field 2 (Boy did I know what that was going to result in). As I sat in the equipment window in the old complex, I hear you coming down the hall, “Where’s Weaver?”. I knew I was in for it so I got out of the window and got in the equipment room. You got as close to me as you could, without coming in the room, and let this tirade out, “If you EVER bring a damn golf club on those practice fields again, I’m going to wrap it around your neck and stuff it up your ass!!!”. That was the maddest I had ever saw you. This happened in the early afternoon as every player came to get their gear for practice. Needless to say I never did that again. I then learned that you did the same to Steve Haslip of Channel 3, only you weren’t as kind to him!
You are such an incredible man. I know you probably will not find time to read these but I truly miss my time at Memphis. It will not be the same going back out there without you. I will only be so lucky to become a man that you were to so many young men that ventured through Memphis. We love you coach!!
Kevin Weaver (1999-2005, Grad and Undergrad Football Manager)
Over the course of a young man’s life, most come in contact with an individual or individuals who profoundly impact their lives. For me, those individuals are my father and Murray Armstrong. I know in my heart that without the support, encouragement, and confidence Coach Armstrong unselfishly bestowed upon me during my four years as a Tiger football player, I would have never seen the field.
I will be forever grateful for the memory when, as a wide-eyed freshman walk-on, Murray Armstrong threw me into a game against Wichita State on October 23, 1976 and told me “Damage ‘em.” I will also never forget the look on his face when I came off the field after making the tackle on that kickoff. He didn’t have to say a word. A simple look and grin from Coach Armstrong were worth a thousand words of praise.
Coach Armstrong and Mrs Joan opened their South Hall home to all of us, cared for us like their own, and (a lot of times in spite of us) raised their two sons to be fine men.
Over 30 years later, Murray Armstrong’s influence still has an effect on me to be a life-long learner and to appreciate the value of higher education.
God broke the mold when he made Murray Armstrong.
I love you Coach, Miss Joan, Sterritt and Brence. You all are in my prayers.
Coach Armstrong and family, I am truly blessed to have had you in my life at such a formable time. Everything didn’t always go as planned and we went through a lot as a team and family during my time at Memphis State.
The untimely deaths of Coach Dockery, Coach Faros, Charles Greenhill and Glen Jones during this time Coach Armstrong was a rock and showed all of us how to handle this tradgedy with grace and dignity. I will always be grateful for that guidance.
Also, I will always remember hearing Coach Armstrong coming down the hall, going door to door finally reaching my room and saying.” Alright Belongy and Sparkman get your Jack and Jill notebooks and your No 2 pencils and get your moth eaten ass to college”.
Coach may God bless you and watch over you and your family.
Coach Armstrong is man that truely respected and loved by many. I can remember Coach Armstrong blowing his whistle to get us up for camp every morning, it was one of those love/hate sounds. You loved because you knew you wasn’t going to be late, you hated it because no matter what time you went to sleep during camp it was never enough time. Every morning that whistle seemed as if it was louder and earlier. During recruiting he would always bring the recruits and their parents by our room to see a nice, orderly, clean room. I remember at practice one day some of the guys were complaining about roaches in their rooms and Coach Armstrong said “if you would keep your room clean like the Cobb boys you wouldn’t have roaches”. Those and other memories will last a lifetime.
Coach Armstrong, who could ever forget the many mornings you woke up all the Tiger players. One of your many famous sayings was “get your nappy funky butt out of that bed”. You really don’t no what a person means in your life until you move on with yours. Coach Armstrong you were a constant part of my life when I needed someone positive in it. You always believed in us as players but men first. We can never repay you for being that father figure a lot us of never had. Thanks for every thing. “A Tiger for life”
My fond first memory of Coach Armstrong has nothing to do with South Hall. You see, I transfered to UofM after playing a year at Purdue University and decided I was going to walk on at UofM. Not knowing where to go, I found myself standing in the parking lot between South Hall and the football offices.
I was kind of milling about when all of a sudden this very large man approached me with a look of doubt in his mind. It kind of struck me that he may have thought that I was up to no good. In a gruff voice he inquired “is there something I can do for you?” I guess he was protecting his “kids” in the dorm from the stranger. I responded, “I am here to play ball.” His response to that bit of information wound up being a Murray standard for the next three years I was with him, “Hot damn.”
Coach,
I had many coaches in my life through Pop Warner, HS, Purdue, and UofM and it is with all certainty that I say publicly that none of them had the impact that you had on me. You believed in me when, on some occasions, there was no reason too. Whenever I came back to UofM after graduation, you always seemed happy to see me and it took me back to the day we met. As an officer in the military I live without the sense of “home” with all of the deployments and moves. Anytime I saw you, I was home and I cherish the gift.
Currently I am a Commander in the United States Coast Guard and perform international engagements in the world of anti-terrorism. My job takes me to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and many many other places that are a long way from the South Hall parking lot. I would not possess whatever it is that allows me to do this sort of work if I had not been standing in that specific parking lot on that specific afternoon. I am what I am, in very large measure, because of who and what you are. You are respected, loved, and revered by the Delgado family.
Alex, my 8 year old son knows who you are and often asks, “Dad, is Coach Armstrong going to want me to play at UofM?” My answer is the same every time he asks….”Alex, Coach Armstrong would have to be crazy to not want you on his team and he is NOT CRAZY. He is a great man and you are going to learn a lot from him. A little about football and a TON ABOUT LIFE.”
There are few people in this world that you come across in a short period of time that make a “real” difference in your life. Coach Armstrong is one of them. When I think about my time at the University of Memphis, his words have probably meant the most to me.
Two stories come to mind when I think about Coach A:
“Little Rogue Warrior”
For some reason he always called me his “Little Rogue Warrior” which is in reference to the title of Richard Marcinko’s motivational books about the Navy Seal missions in Vietnam(Coach A even gave me a book with his autograph which I still have today.) I remember the day I became his “Little Rogue Warrior” as he pulled me aside after practice my freshman year. He could tell I was frustrated with the lack of playing time I was getting and he said “Son, If those coaches ain’t gonna play you on offense, I’ll take you on every special team I got, but you gotta be tough, you gotta be a “Rogue Warrior” or I’ll sit your butt on the pine with the rest of those “yellow bellies!” I said “Coach I may not know what a “Rogue Warrior” is, but I know I ain’t scared either.” I could see the normal scowl he has on his face turn into somewhat of a smile as he said, “Bazemore, A Rogue Warrior is someone who finds his role, masters it, and leads with determination and courage. I need a guy like that on my special teams and I think you can be that guy” From that point on I made it my mission to give everything I had to be a great special teams player whether it was practice or in the game. Fast forward to my Junior year before the Lousville game, Coach A pulled me aside and said, “Bazemore, are you gonna block a punt today, or are you gonna stand on the sideline and stare at the cheerleaders?” I told coach I would try to make something happen which seemed to make him mad as he said, “You ain’t no Rogue Warrior, Bazemore. A Rogue Warrior don’t try, he does!” and he walked off. As luck would have it, we ended up blocking a punt and I ran it in for the go ahead score with about a minute left. I ran over to Coach Armstrong and hugged him and said, “That was for you!” He looked at me with a scowl on his face and said, “I didn’t tell you to score a touchdown, Bazemore, I told you to block a dang punt! Now get your slow white butt out there and make a tackle or I’ll take you off my coverage team….Rogue Warrior!”….guess who made the tackle.
“Whiskey Bottles”
During the first couple of weeks of my Junior Spring semester, I began collecting all the whiskey bottles and beer bottles that we would drink and I would place them on the desktop in the dorm(everybody knows that long desktop in the old dorms!). It didn’t take long before I had bottles lined up from one end of the room to the other. Along with all the “fun” I was having, my grades started slipping a bit and I was definitely not being a model student athlete. I remember one evening I had the door open with the music blaring while drinking a beer and Coach Armstrong walked by. He stopped, looked at me shaking his head and said, “Son, I bet you’re real proud of yourself with that collection of whiskey bottles on that there wall, huh?” I sat there quiet with a stupid look on my face trying not to agitate him anymore, but it was too late. He pointed his finger at me and went off on about a 5 minute tirade. I couldn’t make out half of the words he was saying because he was talking so fast and he was so mad. I just remembered the last couple of sentences which he said something to the effect of, “Bazemore, you got 2 minutes to clear out them bottles or I’m coming in and I’m gonna crack your friggin head with one of them whiskey bottles! After you wake up, I’m gonna call your momma and daddy and tell them what a sorry student you are and to come pick your sorry butt up and take you back to that piece of land in lower Alabama where they found you!” Needless to say, whiskey bottles started flying out that room into the garbage cans and I ended up finishing the semester on the Dean’s List. I didn’t have another sip of whiskey the rest of the semester!
These memories along with many others will forever be with me and have shaped my life profoundly. I apologize for the length of this message, but no amount of words can sum up Coach Armstrong’s contributions to this University and its students. Coach “A” has truly made The University of Memphis a better place.
To a True Tiger Hero!
Jeff Bazemore(Memphis Football 95-99)
your “Rogue Warrior”
I came to Memphis as a walk-on & Coach Armstrong was in charge of the walk-ons at that time. For somebody that had never known me outside of the few times that we’d spoken, let along someone that had never even seen me play, Coach A treated me with the utmost respect. I still remember those early morning whistles that first camp, and other camps to follow, that Coach Armstrong would blow to wake us up. I also remember some of those songs that sometimes accompanied those whistles, “Drop ya cocks & pick up ya sox, it’s time to go for a run!” I know this for a fact; you’d be hard pressed to find anybody on this planet that knows more about special teams & the history or Memphis football than Coach Armstrong. Just this week I was speaking with a Highland Hundred member who was telling me that our current special teams could use a little facelift, the first thing that came out of my mouth was “they should go talk to Coach Armstrong!” Sadly, it was then I was informed of Coach A’s situation and just had far it had progressed. On the field he would always tell us, “Men you have 1 chance to be perfect” & that’s one of the things I’ll take with me from Coach A. My senior year I was given an award that allowed me to address the audience, this was my “1 chance to be perfect” & I made the most of it & thanked Coach A for all the wonderful support that he provided me from day 1. A few years later returning home for a game, I spoke with Coach Armstrong & he told me that he really appreciated my acknowledgment of him & he said that he’d never forget the things that I said about him. Coach A, really hope you know just how much I really meant every single word I said that night…
To Coach A & Mrs. A, THANK YOU! The impact that you both have made on countless young men can never be measured.
Coach –
Tom Yatsula and I were laughing at our (one of our) favorite Coach A stories just yesterday. As alot of them do, it involved Danny Sparkman. We were laughing about the fact the you had someone “ASSIGNED” to make sure that he physically left South Hall in the morning! We appreciate you and (Marty Mosby, I think) keeping Danny in school!
When I talk about Coach A to anyone who has not been associated with the program over the years, I talk about how we were a family. I always say how if it weren’t for you and Joan, that alot of the men would not have been successful and would not have go on to be successful in life either. The simple fact of the matter is that you and your family were there to help raise us as one of your own.
You have touched many, many lives and for that we are all grateful.
It had been a few years since I have made it up to Memphis, but the last time I did we had a long conversation in the tunnel of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. I will never forget that moment. I will also never forget your funny sayings during Winter Workouts in the old turfroom. It would be 10 degrees in there and you could always motivate us to get off our ass and on our feet because offseason programs can’t be beat. You are and were an inspiration to many people.
I hate that you are having to go through what you are going through. My own son, who is 5, is fighting his own battle with Leukemia right now. He reminds me a lot of you. He wants to worry about others and does not want all the attention placed on himself. He wants to go out of his way to make sure others have something before he does. If there is anything that I can do for you or your family, please let me know. You will constantly be in our thoughts and prayers.
I too just found out about coach Armstrong’s sickness. Growing up in Mobile ,Alabama and coming from a single parent household coach Armstrong was the first experience of what it was like to have a father in the house. For some of us like me coach Amstrong was everything we needed and when we needed it. I can’t count the countless time coach caught me doing wrong and it never made it’s way to anyone. I often waited on my punishments which never came. Coach I never told you,but if you have an opportunity to read this just know you were the father I never had and still to this day I have been around lot of coaches, as a player and now as a coach,and you always, no matter what,treated all of us the same. People talk about player being treated fair but you, You are a special man. Coach I love you and even though I grew up with 8 sisters and 1 brother and none of us knew what it was like to have a father,for 5 years I did. I cant still hear you wakeing all of us up in the morning saying
I’ll never forget the times you gave us so much encouragement for our journeys not only on the field, but off… You spoke to a group of pitchers once and i’ll never forget what you said. You spoke about the 3 W’s:
Women.
Whiskey.
Gambling.
Drugs.
Nevermind that you mentioned 4 things. Nevermind that they didn’t all start with W… I understand you had a deeper purpose in your message. And that was to get a bunch of kids to listen to what you had to say. It worked, and I tell people stories about you all the time. Thanks.
I’ll never forget that old blue suburban… that truck even looked like it was gonna kick everyone else’s car’s asses.
I’ll also never forget the time you told us about the 3 W’s:
Women,
Whiskey,
Gambling,
Drugs.
Never mind that there’s 4 items mentioned. Never mind that they don’t all start with W. Your point was to get a bunch of knuckleheads to pay attention to you… and it worked. I tell people stories on you all the time, Coach. You are a great man, and a great mentor.
There are so many stories that I dont even dnow where to begin. The morning wakeups, power being turned off until we cleaned up the hall, America’s Team, the Big-Ass Team, trying to stay out of the “Swamp”……..How can anyone not think of you when they think of Memphis Football?
I do have to thank you for bailing us out of the Liberty Bowl Incident. I remember it like it was yesterday….you walked up to Sells and me, “Get your girls in the car, get your asses in the car, and dont stop til you get to South Hall!”
Thank you for everything you ever did for me and most importantly, thank you for helping me become the man I am today. You are in my prayers.
When I arrived in the Spring of 1994 I was a freshman, out of my element and away from home. You and your family took me in with open arms. I can’t thank you, Mrs. A, Brence, and Sterritt enough for that. I honestly don’t know if I could have stuck out the first semester without that support. I consider you all family. Thank you for that.
On the field, you taught us how to be men. I remember on special teams you would say “Men, you get one chance at this, one chance…don’t screw it up”. It certainly made me focus on the mission at hand. You made me want to get the job done to make you proud. That’s how you motivate people. I knew you cared and you certainly showed it in your own way. I also knew that you did these things because you believed we could do better. Getting ignored would mean you gave up on us, and you never did.
Coach A., if there ever was a fighter I know it’s you. Get well.
During our son’s recruitment, I asked Coach A., “when coaches first call, they talk to me; after that they want to talk to Susie.” Coach’s answer
–”if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy”. A wonderful, colorful man who touched alot of young men. (the players secretely recorded the Coach’s “wake-up” call–they would not let Susie listen to it)
I’ve never experienced a more influential counselor/coach than Coach Armstrong. Having been a walk-on for 3 years beginning in 1975 the most important thing he showed me was his honesty – there was no bs about playing time, depth chart position, etc. On at least 7 occasions I sheduled an appointment with him to discuss my progress/performance – why? – because I knew that I would always get the truth from that man, and sometimes it was not favorable towards me. But it was the truth and it was fair and it was the right thing to do.
May God bless you Coach Armstrong – for you have always been a straight-up, stand-up guy – and I have the utmost respect for you.
Coach A-
Words can’t express what you have meant to me and the person I have become. I remember my first visit to Memphis, with my dad. We pulled up to South Campus to meet with Coach Huesman. We were early so we started to walk around and here you pull up on your golf cart asking if we needed help. We introuced ourselves and told you we were from Mayfield, KY. As soon as you heard Mayfield you began to ask questions to see if we knew a former player in the “70′s (I won’t mention his name). You began to tell us of the story of how one night he decided he would do some streaking across campus. In your story you said, “Hell, the worst part wasn’t that he was streaking. The worst part was that our starting Quarterback got ran down by some big-ass police officer.” I knew then that you were a special person and one that had seen your share of life stories.
When I talk to young people today, it takes a lot for me not to tell them about the “SWAMP.” I remember like it was yesterday, you telling all of us specialist. “Men, the SWAMP is still undefeated. Don’t mess with the SWAMP. You know the SWAMP is what got Bill Clinton in trouble…he fell right in the middle of it!”
As a Tiger, you made college football fun, as a specialist, you made unforgettable. Keep on fighting…I could’t imagine a Tiger practice without you!
I’ll leave you with an all-time Coach A favorite, on Sunday after a win:
“Head’s Head’s…repeat after me…”I’d rather walk through hell with gsoline drawers on…than to fight with the Memphis Tigers!”
As I read through all these comments from guys like Powers, Baze, Marquis, and the Cobb twins it brings back so many wonderful memories of what life was like for all of us in South Hall. What a great experience that you and Mrs. A gave to us. Thank you. There are so many things when I think back that you said to me over my time with you that I could literally spend hours on this. However, the one thing I will share was a talk we had when I was 21 years old about my future and more importantly my decision as to whether to attend medical school. You shared with me your passion for your career and why you made the choices you did. At the time, I listened intently, but I had no idea what a profound impact that day and that talk had on my future and the man I am today. That is simply what you did for so many of us; your guidence, you honesty, your love, and your constant since of a positive direction shaped so many young people over the years.
I personally want to say thank you for making the choice in your life as that choice shaped mine in a way that I will never forget. I count myself as one of the fortunate to have had the honor of having you touch my life the way you did.
Man where do I start with the great stories and memories that have been shared at the University. I ll never for got all of these talks we had on the golf cart before all of our practices. The best thing about our talks were that you would always put me in charge of someone or something. The worst thing I ever did at Memphis was one day during my Junior year. I was putting up the jugs machine and I dropped it and it broke. I thought I was going to be fired and have to pay for it as well.
I’ll never for the trial we had for Sweeney because of the Golf Cart left in the Hall of Fame Area. Or the time I was on trail for running over another manager foot in the golf cart on accident.
Things I got from Coach A
1. Don’t let the Swamp get you
2. Elevate your Mind
Thanks Coach A for everything you have done for me over the years I was there. You are such a incredible person and I really look up to you and I hope one day I can be just like you and help young people out.
Coach A, and family are in my prayers. You are one of the toughest men I know, and I know you will handle this battle. I have a thousand of stories to tell, but will choose a few.
First of all, you are a main reason for me coming to Memphis to play football. When I met you I loved your intensity, attention to detail, straight to the point way of talking, and loved how you loved football.
You were and still are one of the best coaches I’ve had.
Like many have said, how can you think of Tiger Football, and not think of Coach A. You are truly a legend.
You also had an effective and unique way of motivating me and others. I would honestly run through a wall for you, if you told me to. You are the BEST. and we love you.
You showed me how important special teams were, and the job of “snapping” . You opened my eyes to this and helped me get on the field to play and eventually a scholarship. I owe so much to you, Coach A.
I miss the days of you waking us up at South Hall, blowing your whistle and opening our doors bright and early yelling at us to wake up. Those were awesome days.
Some of your sayings that have always stuck with me…”Leave nothing to chance” and “Live to play another down”. These are things that stayed with me, things that apply to life also. I’m a coach now, and I find myself quoting you all of the time. You touch so many more people’s lives than you can imagine.
I mentioned your personality. you are definitely one of the funniest men I know. I remember “Get the snap up Rocconi”. or when you rode Jimmy Keith one day, about eating Ding Dongs or Twinkies, or cupcakes and not being able to kick anymore. something to that manner. That is also one of Brence’s favorites!!!
Spring morning workouts – you’d say at 5 am “Alright men, pull up your socks and grab your _ _ _ _ _, and let’s go for a run” maybe the saying was the other way for some of the players.
And one of my personal favorites. Freshmen anniciation night in 1995. you all know what I’m talking about…running naked across campus. This was one of my best nights…felt free. anyway, after running from the cops, back to South Hall, some of us went up to our 3rd floor and in my room and sweetmates’s room. There I went into the joining bathroom to release my nervous stomach from the night’s events.
then all of a sudden, Coach A busted in the room to find 4 or 5 naked players sitting there talking about the night running.
All I could here from the bathroom stall, was Coach A saying, “Alright you, you, you, and you…….now where the hell is Rocconi” “I know he is a part of this, cause he’s the only butt naked guy running in a knee brace!!!”
I could hear him breathing loudly outside the stall door as I pulled my feet up in the air hiding on the toilet. he went back and forth looking for me but never found me.
Still, to this day, I believe he knew I was in there, and just decided to scare the ______ out of me……literally.
It worked.
Coach A, you and your family were like a family to me. Thanks for always being there. Let me know if you or your family needs anything at all.
You are in my prayers.
Thanks again for everything.
GOD BLESS YOU AND WE LOVE YOU
Coach Armstrong was my freshman coach in 1965 and I doubt that I would have made it through that year without him, his guidance, and his advice. He is a one of a kind individual and has been the anchor of the ship at Memphis for many, many years. As coaches came and went, he was there to provide the stability of the football program.
Most people doesn’t realize that our 1965 freshman team were national champs. So what if we were deemed national champs by Coach A or so what if the championship trophy that sat proudly on his desk was made of cardboard and tape…hey, if Coach A proclaimed us national champs, than we were national champs.
Coach A was the master of all times in giving nicknames to most all the players. The one nickname that has always struck with me was of Joe Crocetti, a defensive linebacker/monster man from Ohio. We had a defensive blitz for the monster man that was called “Lightning.” In our first game of the season, the blitz was called from the sidelines. In the excitement of the game, Joe got a little confused and started calling out “Thunder, Thunder!!!” …so came the nickname “Double Thunder and Lightning, No Tackle Joe Crocetti”….and the list goes on and on.
My thoughts and prayers are with Coach A as he fights this battle and with the entire Armstrong family. Thanks Coach for being a part of my life.
Coach,
AS with each of the entries logged, it’s difficult to find a starting point for a man with such a GRAND IMPACT, with so little hoopla (The M Club Award was much needed and appreciated) The thing I respect most about coach A is and was his ability to stay humble. He did whatever was asked of him with great pride and excellence, I think that characteristic we have all carried with us. AS well, his example of a man, husband, and a father is one to be modeled as well. Many of the former athletes stated many of things you said and stories you told but I will always remember “YOUR EXAMPLE”.
Coach A,
Oh the stories we all have. I believe there is something that comes up for me almost everyday where it triggers a memory from my days in Memphis. I’m not sure if even the internet has enough space for all of our stories. My family and I are thankful for the guidance that you helped provide to me. The wisdom spoken from you on a day to day basis helped us all to keep our sanity during the “COLLEGETIME” years. When the days of the real South Hall dissappeared players lost a real treat. To have a family like yours basically take all of us and make us part of you was priceless. I thank you and Mrs. A for being the people you are. As you said many times to be good you have to surround yourself with good people….or something like that. Now I know we were all not good all the time, but you were a huge part of my success. I’m sure many more people could say the same. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
How can anyone think of Tiger football without thinking of that booming voice that belongs to Coach Armstrong. Though I never played football, I have many memories of Coach A advising me to exit South Hall after a night out with Bobby Russell and/or Al Harvey. I won’t use his exact words, but I’m sure that those who know can imagine Coach A’s desire for me to remove myself from the dorm immediately.
Murray Armstrong is a legend in Memphis football and I know the Tiger Nation joins me in thanking you for all those years of devotion and loyalty to our program
I was fortunate enough to work with Coach Armstrong and the rest of the coaching staff under Ray Dempsey. I was a student worker that came in after my morning classes. I can still see Coach Armstrong in my mind’s eye in that first office to the right as you entered the old football office on the second floor. He always had a colorful comment or remark to me- always a gentleman, funny and bigger than life. I looked forward to seeing him because he always made me laugh. I remember, he would say…”now Liz, why would you settle for a Cadillac when you can have a Rolls Royce???”
In other words, aim high and reach for the stars.
My husband Jim and I want you and your family to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you, Coach A.
How fortunate I was to get to spend 5 years with Coach Armstrong. With Coach A being my position coach, I got to deal with him everyday. A few phrases I will always remember and also use as a coach:
“Repetition is the key to comprehension”
“We are rehearsing for the game, an actor does not go on stage without rehearsing his/her lines”
“not everyone dates the good looking women, someone has to date the big, fat, ugly ones, but it still counts as a date” – after a bad kick and you get a good bounce.
Everyone has their own wake up stories: college time, college time, but I was so fortunate actually spend everyday in practice with him. He took care of his specialist. I can remember sitting under the trees next to the track during fall practice watching Joe Lee kill his defense with “packer” days and the “county fair. He took care of us, but you had better perform when you where on “stage”, or you would face his wrath. The years I played we were average, but we always had great special teams and one of the main reasons was Coach Armstrong. It was a great being a part of the best fg team in the nation in 92, better known as the “The big ass team and Toby”. There is so much to write and everyone has many stories to tell.
Coach, you and your family are in our prayers. I know that you will fight and be strong because that is exactly what you have taught so many of us to do. Not only on the football field but also in life. Thank you for everything and I forever grateful for the influence you had on my life. Coach, this forum is a tribute to you for all of the lives you influenced.
“College time, college time !!! Get you #2 pencil and crayons and get to college ! ” We all knew that we better get moving when we heard those words from Coach Armstrong as he came down the hall checking every room to make sure we were getting ready to go to class.
All of those who lived in the athletic dorm, heard these words (plus a few others) every day. I can remember those days so easliy, like it was yesterday. What a way to start the day.
Being a freshman football player in 1980 wasn’t easy. I guess it’s not easy today either, but back then most freshmen had to be on the “scout team”. This meant we got our heads knocked off every day by the 1st team defense. I played O-line and Coach Armstrong was in charge of “scout team offense”. How did you do it, Coach? Somehow, you made it fun for us. You cracked jokes and “called out” whoever missed an assignment. We all knew that “you called it like you saw it” and never backed down from scolding anyone regardless of position or rank. It made no difference if you were 1st team or 3rd team. We all saw that you treated everyone the same and we respected you for it. This laughter that you created helped us forget the pain of practice, day in and day out.
Anyway…Coach, thanks for all of your sacrifice of time & effort for us, both on and off the field. You did a great job!!! I had (3) head coaches (Williamson, Dockery, & Dempsey) during my time there, but you were the constant force. I suspect that some folks around the university don’t realize the great contributions that you have made, but believe me your players know !
Please know that I am praying for you and your family during this time-
As I mentioned in my e-mail I have been praying for all of you for many years. Coach, you have been a great influence on my life. I first came to MSU in 1965 when one of Coach Murphy’s relatives recommended me to get a scholarship. I was from California and initially on your 1965 freshman team. I was doing well until I got very homesick for my family back in California and decided to leave. Fortunately you and Coach Murphy liked me and told me to call back if I wanted to come back. Well, I knew as soon as I arrived in California I had made a huge mistake. It took me until January of 1966 to get enough courage to call Coach Murphy and ask him if I could rejoin the team. Coach Murphy let me come back and when I got there you were the one to welcome me and let me try again to be a part of MSU football. I remember our walk to Robinson Hall where you gave me encouagement and hope. It was a defining part of my life. You were very sensitive to my feelings and helped me be a part of MSU football. If you remember the pre-Spring practice of 1966 was a real challenge. Larry Wright put us through some of the most challenging drills I have ever been through. The regular spring practice was a breeze considering what we went through in the pre-spring.
I was then put on your 1966 freshman team. We had some great players on that team and you appointed me co-captain along with Leonard Texiera. We beat Southern Illinois and Houston. We lost to Southern Mississipi only because we had three reverse play touchdowns called backed due to some “home cooking” clipping calls. We were the team where you broke the coke bottle at half time playing LSU. It definately got our attention and scared the h___ out of all of us. I don’t think any of us forgot that game and were the better for it.
Coach, you were a tough coach but it was quite obvious you cared. I remember when I was a freshman and you were trying to make a point about missed blocks. You were pretty upset and proceeded to make an example out of someone which happened to be me and you had the entire freshman team tackle me. Afterwards you came up to me and said, “Hubbell, I had to make an example out of someone and I picked you you because I knew you could take it.” That was a huge complement and I have always have remembered it.
You challended me my entire time at MSU and I learned to adjust to your challenges and it made me a better person. I was determined to be successful and even though I wasn’t a starter I was a successful second string varsity player for three years eventually making an honorable mention in my Junior and Senior years on the All Missouri Valley Teams. I think I learned a great deal about being a tough team player through you and vowed to never quit again no matter what. Through out my entire life I have remembered your strength and compassion. I want to thank you for challenging me to be a better performer and person.
I also want to thank your wonderful wife Joan. She impressed me from the first time I met her as a loving and compassionate person. I want to recount to your family an act of great kindness that Joan did for me. We were in spring practice in 1968. Martin Luther King had just been assinated and MSU decided to start spring break early to get everyone away from the school with so many issues going on. I was in Doc Smith’s apartment with many others trying to sort things out. I was trying to get back to California to see my family and recently engaged girlfriend who was later to become my wife. I was able to get the airline ticket to leave the next morning. Joan heard what was going on and she volunterred to take me to the airport knowing that Taxi’s were refusing to drive to the airport due to the tense situation. Joan was courageous in taking me to the airport without fear of the situation. I was so greatful to her and it meant a great deal to me to surprise my fiance and be with my family. Those are the types of stories that have surrounded Murray and Joan for so many years. Giving to so many for the sake of MSU athletics.
In closing I can say that the Armstrong family have given so much of their lives to MSU football and all the young men that have taken the challenge to be a part of a very special program. My prayers will continue to be said everyday for Murry, Joan, and family. My love to all of you.
Part of the fun of playing college football was living in the athletic dorm. Players today don’t know what they are missing. I can’t imagine going through all that again and not living with your “family”. And speaking of family, I can’t imagine raising one in a small apartment connected to three floors of hell raisers, but that’s exactly what the Armstrong’s did. And they did it well. I wish just one morning coach Armstrong could wake up my son for college. He’s fortunate enough to be a walk-on punter this year at Memphis, but unfortunately will not have the “best kicking coach” in America. As all former kickers/punters know, it’s mostly a mental game and nobody was better at preparing you mentally than Coach Armstrong. With classics like “just kick the damn ball”. Or, “all you gotta do is catch it and kick it”. As dull as it was sometimes during practice, coach A always made it very interesting.
Like everyone else, I’ve got a thousand stories, some of which can’t be told. The best one may be the time Jeff White was throwing darts on the back of his dorm room door. I believe this practice had already been deemed off limits by coach A, but it continued this night. As coach A was banging on the door, the darts were put up and Jeff denied he had been throwing them. A few minutes after coach left, the dart throwing continued. Suddenly the door opened and coach A picked up a 32 ounce glass bottle of coke and hurled it across the room at Jeff, smashing just above his head. The dart throwing was over and coach A apologized to the team the next day for “being a dumb ass”. I can still see the look on Jeff White’s face.
There was also the time I had a little trouble with the snaps during a game with Louisville and the next couple of weeks I got to be the scout team quarterback. The first day in pads against the first team defense, Stanley Adams, who played DE in the NFL for several years, hit me so hard that I had to pull my mouth piece out of my throat. I told coach that I couldn’t go the next play because I couldn’t see and that I swallowed my mouth piece. He told me “Weaver, we’ll get you another mouth piece, now get in there and throw the damn ball”.
Coach A also made a big impression with my mother when I called her my first night at South Hall my freshman year and told her my roommate had a pet snake. I didn’t like snakes, but she hated them so bad she tore the snake pictures out of the encyclopedia so she didn’t accidently see them when looking at the “S” book. She called coach Armstrong and the snake was gone the next day and she was a fan for life.
Coach Armstrong, you were an inspiration to thousands of young men during the most important times of their lives. I am forever grateful to have had the privilege of playing for you, “living” with you and getting to know your family. You were fortunate to have been able to do what you loved to do for many years, yet all the players who came through Memphis during your time there were even more fortunate.
God bless you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was a tradition at MSU that each coach took a week and reviewed the opposing team and would try to find things to motivate us during the week to get us ready on game day. Coach Armstrong always seemed to get a little more excited than most of the other coaches when it was his week. I want to say we were going up against a weaker team and if my memory is correct it was the Wichita State game in 1976. Not wanting any of us to get over confident Coach Armstrong took the approach that week that we had to get on them quick and end the game early.
I had the opportunity to play under Coach Armstrong at one of the defensive end positions in our 52 defense. The advantage I had that year was I was surrounded by players which later would turn pro. Keith Butler at linebacker, Erie Jones at Tackle, Marty Hammock at Strong Safety and Eric Harris and Keith Simpson at the Corners. Of course I can’t leave out Jimbo Mincey at Free Safety(did not go pro but was too smart to get beat deep). I could have messed up all night and still these guys would have made up for me.
All week long, Coach Armstrong would tell us in our defensive end drills and films, ” Men … you have to “DAMAGE EM” if we are going to win. Well, I took that to heart. Ate, drank and slept “DAMAGE EM”. As game day got closer, I continue to prepare myself to come out early and “DAMAGE” my opponent. On game day we ate our pregame meal, watched more film as Coach Armstrong continue to repeat we had to “DAMAGE EM”.
There was no doubt in my mind what we had to do as we got on the buses to go to the stadium. Everyone went about their business as we entered the locker room getting taped, last minutes encouragement, putting on the pads and then Coach Armstrong stepped into the middle of the room.
In that deep voice he began to talk about our opponent. Building on every word he went over each of their players weaknesses and strengths. Then he began to challenge each one of us in our responsibility that day. Excitement was building, and it was at that time that Coach Armstrong called on us. At the top of his voice he screamed “What do we have to do to win this game?” At that time I knew he was calling for a response, he prepared us all week. I leaped up out of my locker and screamed back at him “DAMAGE EM”. You would think everyone would have been estatic. As I looked around the locker room I expected to see my teammates in a frenzy because I knew all of them would have know what he wanted us to say and my words would have blended in unison with theirs.
To my dismay, I was the only one standing on my feet. In fact, you could have heard a pin drop because everyone else in the locker room was silent. I was the only one on my feet as my scream still echoed in the room. It was at that point that I could see Coach Armstrong who also was a little surprised at my outburst. But he did something that will always be with me for the rest of my days. He leaned forward, gave his memorable growl and said, “Errgh… that’s right!” and pointed his finger at me. He went on as if nothing had happened.
As I sank back into my locker in embarrassment, I knew I had just pinned a nickname on myself that would stick for a while. To this day I still get the jabs from Bob W. or Marty and Jimbo about “DAMAGE EM King”. What I will always remember though, is how Coach Armstrong saved me with his quick response.
I carried that badge of honor with me for a while after that but what is still etched in my mind is that smile from Coach Armstrong that I will know he knew what I was screaming about. In his own way he may planned for that to happen. By the way, we won that game 31 -0. We did “DAMAGE EM”
To Coach Armstrong who always inspired me to be my best.
Steve King 1973-1976
I just finished reading all the messages above and basically relived some of the best times of my life. Coach, Mrs A, & boys, thank you for all you have given to the University and to so many people. As you can see, you are all loved very much by the TigerNation! When I look back and talk about my time at Memphis State, it ALWAYS comes back to living in that dorm. Its truely amazing how many lives you have touched and I pray that you have a peace that only God can give at this time. Be strong coach, I love you and hope we can team up again once we both reach Heaven.
Just want you to know your former players aren’t the only “fans” you have. Do you remember in the early 1980′s the parent who made a frantic “mommy” phone call to you that there was an (uncaged) Boa Constrictor SNAKE in her son’s room? My snake phobia and not being able to sleep the night before outweighed my concerns that he would be teased, tormented, & embarrassed about his Mom calling you.
You promised me you wouldn’t tell anybody AND that you would personally take care of the Snake. If I remember correctly you said, “I will go up there and machette the SOB to pieces.” All I know for sure is that it disappeared and you became my Hero.
Seriously, the reason I admired you then and all these many years is NOT about the snake saga. It’s because you really cared about these young men being away from home for the first time & the difference you made in their lives. Both you & Joan made a lasting contribution in more ways to more people than you will ever know. Just reading all the e-mails to you brought back wonderful memories of the good ole days.
It makes me so sad that athletes today don’t have a Coach Armstrong to be their Mentor & that parents can now only wish for somebody like you to be in their kids lives. By the way, my son is Stan Weaver, who punted for Memphis 1980-1983.
I got a nice laugh out of the “College Time” reference. “College Time, College Time, get your butt outta bed “Cotta”. We loved doing imitations of him. Some had the status (like Rick Snider) to do them to his face, and he always got a kick out of it.
Coach Armstrong kept a large number of freshman football players from going home over the years.
Murray might not have been your parent, but he was at least their first assistant, or actually more like an Uncle that you had great respect for.
No horror movie can strike fear in your soul like those keys jangling in your door after a disturbance.
We didn’t really consider the Athletic Dorm our dorm. It seemed more like it belonged to Coach Armstrong. He lived in an apartment, on the ground floor with his family. I don’t know, but the dorm always seemed like his house and we were all temporary guests.
And by the way, as big and bad as everyone in that dorm was, every one immediately stopped any improper night time (rotten food fight) behavior when they heard one phrase…. “Dorm Daddy’s coming.”
Dear Coach Armstong and Family,
I don’t know if you remember me, but I dated Butch Dowty in college and we have been married for 24 years. When I heard of your illness I had to let you know what an impact you had on Butch’s life as well as every young man you came in contact with. These boys, and I do mean boys, at the time they come to college needed someone to guide them into manhood and that person was you. Thank God that you were around and it is sad that athletes these days do not have the benefit of that guidance. I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have heard Butch tell someone about living in the dorm and one of your many somewhat colorful words of wisdom. I just want to thank you for your major roll in shaping the man he is today and know that my thoughts and prayers go with you.
if a person ever needed a second mom and dad the armstrongs would always be consider that. In the world we live in today you could use several murray armstrongs . murray taught me how to think and how to work. he also taught me respect other people. our leaders are dying out in this country but murray is stiil around and he always wiil be around in my eyes and my heart.
I don’t know where to start. I know I was probably the biggest pain in the ass that you ever had to deal with. I wanted to thank you for everything you and your wonderful wife did for me. I wanted to share with everybody some of the great stories I had in South Hall. Before I did that I wanted to let people know that there are not two better human beings in the world. Alot of people don’t know what you meant to alot of young men. When I was young and confused boy, you were always there to help me. When I missed a meal or didn’t have money to buy one, you or your wife would open up the mess hall to let me get something to eat. When I didn’t have money to buy clothes, Mrs. Armstrong would sew a button or patch up what I had. I want to thank you and your wife for everything.
Now I want to share some stories with you.
I remember when our mirror broke in the room you asked what in the hell happened. I told you that it just honestly fell and we were lucky it didn’t kill us. I remember you telling me that is not what happened. You said that I was drunk turned around and said who is that ugly SOB and punched it.
I also will never forget when we were going through at tough spell during one of the season and you got up talk to the team. You put on the blackboard a small circle and a big circle. You then went on to explain that the small circle was a normal cell and the big circle was a cell of a person that has been drinking. You then went on to tell us that we had the double thirst and that to many of us were drinking way to much.
I also remember when I missed way to many days of school as a freshman and you came to my room. You told me that I had 5 minutes to get dressed. You then preceded to take my wrist and walk me to class.
I remember we were playing the University of Mississippi Southern and I was finally starting and I was on the bench just getting some water after we stopped them. I was sitting there going why is the stadium so quiet. Then it hit me, oh shit we are punting the ball and I am on the punting team. I came back to the sideline waiting to be yelled at. I will never forget you didn’t say a word but just a look.
I wanted to also share a funny story about Mrs. Armstrong. I remember the time when Joel P. threw something at the person who was watching the cameras at South Hall. I remember Mrs. Armstrong knocking on his door. When Joel P. opened his door Mrs.Armstrong gave him a cussing like I have never seen. It was so funny to see this nice lady actually lose her cool for once. It was the first and only time I ever heard her cuss.
Last but not least Coach I always get a laugh when I think about you coming in my room and calling me Miss Barto. You would ask Andy McWilliams and I if we had a lover’s spat.
Great Coach Armstrong Sayings:
Light Beer is for p******
Get your coloring books and crayons it is college time
You have 1 down to be perfect
That is CIX men
I could go on for pages. I just wanted to let you know that I have been blessed to meet you and your wife. You saved a young boy that could have easily become a statistic. I hope and pray my son meets a person like you in his life time. I wish that more men where left in coaching and in the world like you. If I had one wish is that we could have played together. You are what I tell my son is a man’s man. I truly know that you will whip this! My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Wow! How can so many people feel so strongly about the same man?
Coach made us all feel special in the same kind of way. He was always firm with us, but somehow we all knew he really cared about us, taking pride in watching us mature. Just like a dad, he was hard on us, but only because he wanted us to succeed.
My favorite quote that I haven’t seen mentioned yet was said to me after an 8 yard shank at Florida State in 1985. I ran off the field towards him, fearing for my life, and he firmly put his arm around me and said:
“Success—-is how high you bounce off the bottom. You’re on the bottom.”
To Joan, Sterritt, and Brence – thanks for sharing Murray and your lives with us.
To Coach – I love you and thank you for being such a tremendous positive influence in my life.
I wasn’t there when Kevin Weaver (above) was ‘smart’ enough to use a golf club on Coach A’s grass, but he was still hearing about it by the time I got there in 2002. He was always a class act, and it was refreshing to hear him yelling at someone from across the practice fields. Unless it was me he was yelling at.
Coach A was always on patrol in his golf cart around the practice fields each day before practice making sure everything looked nice. One day another equipment manager and I decided to take our golf cart out for a ‘joyride’. This included driving up this steep slope of sand near the putting greens. We thought we were daredevils – trying to fly off the top of this mound like we were the Duke boys.
Well, we got stuck at the top of the hill. Cart wouldn’t go anywhere. I got out, picked up the front of the cart and gave it a push so that it would roll back to the bottom of the hill. The other manager said, ‘jump down and let’s go before Coach A sees us.’ When I jumped down, my right foot landed in a hole and twisted so bad I thought my foot had broken completely off the end of my leg.
I laid there in shock for a few seconds, cursing anything and everything. Until we saw Coach A round the corner in his cart. I managed to jump in the cart, and hold a straight face as he asked me and the other manager if we had everything set up for practice. I can honestly say I’ve never felt pain like that in my life, and my ankle was the size of a football, but the last thing I wanted him to know was that we were playing Dukes of Hazzard on his field.
Six years later, and my ankle still hurts in the morning when I wake up, but it reminds me of days spent out on the practice fields. And that always brings a smile to my face. As it should anyone who had the fortune to spend their autumn on Coach A’s grass.
He commanded respect, and it was endearing. I notice that the Swamp has already been mentioned, and I try my damndest to stay out of it. Because the Swamp is undefeated!
They should put that trash picker of his in bronze and put it right in the middle of all the other trophies. I hope he can see one more Tiger game, everyone in the Liberty Bowl will be better for it.
Jason Kennedy
Football Equipment Manager – 2002-2004
I must wholeheartedly agree with others above that college athletes today are missing out on the college experience with the loss of the athletic dorm. My fondest memories of the college experience seem to be centered around the stories forever linked to that place called South Hall. From the morning wake up routine to Catfish Charlie stragetically placed in AC vents during friendly feuds to freshmen initiations to thousands of other college time antics. If only that place could talk … Coach, I really don’t know how you did it but I am convinced there was nothing that went on in that dorm you did not know about. You just chose to ignore some.
I recently drove by South Hall with my 14 year old son and it seemed like only yesterday I was there. However it had been 26 quick years since my Freshman year. My mind was quickly flooded with memories, some I could share and some that I thought might be more appropriate when he gets a little older.
Athletic competition is the best preparation for life. However you expaned it even further. The daily intergration of your dedication, wit, intelligence and wisdom with the college athletic experience taught me how to be the best you can be, perservere, accept responsibility, accept criticism, don’t make excuses, and be accountable to yourself and others. Your investment has not returned void. I am a better husband, father, and person as a result of your living example. Your impact on my life can be repeated a thousand times by my teammates, those which came before me and those who came after.
Thank you for loving us and giving yourself to us.
I worked at South Hall from 1987-1991 so I got to witness first hand a lot of the stories from that time period. Damon talked about how Coach A always knew the names of every athlete that lived in South Hall and all their parents. It took me a long time to figure it out. Just like he expected his players to “rehearse” for their time on the field, he constantly rehearsed things he wanted to remember. In other words, he walked around talking to himself.
Many times I’d be sitting at the camera desk and out of the corner of my eye I’d catch Coach A pacing a circle around that glass “court yard” in the middle of the South Hall Lobby area. He’d be talking a blue streak to himself, rehearsing the names and faces, making sure the mental connections he wanted were there. The educational theorists call it multi-sensory learning…Coach A had it figured out LONG before someone gave it a fancy scientific sounding name.
Another habit of his that has always tickled me is his penchant for giving out nicknames…the only problem is that now I sometimes have a hard time trying to remember certain people by their ACTUAL names. Boaz, Buckethead, Five-0, Bumble, Peanut, Outhouse…I love the fact that he never calls me by my name…to him I’m always “T”, yeah its not as cool as some of the others but it works for me…and Lord knows it could have been worse!
As I said on the other page Coach…your family was my family for the years I worked at South Hall. I couldn’t have asked for a better second family. Praying for you all…and smiling and laughing out loud at the stories here. You’re one of a kind.
I met Coach Armstrong when my boyfriend was moving out of South Hall in 1995. I had heard all the stories and was terrified of Coach Armstrong. Then I met this kind man and his sweet wife.
Now that boyfriend is my husband. He is back at the U of M as the Track Coach. Through the years, almost every time I’ve been at the track I’ve seen Coach Armstrong there working. He always waved and smiled.
I was still a little scared that he might find out about the times I had snuck into South Hall! We never talked much except during my pregnancies and then he would always stop to ask how the baby and I were doing. He would want to know if we were having a boy or a girl. He would talk about his wife and boys and his face would light up. He even made a vehicle move once so that I could have a closer parking space!
I never dreamed I would get to know him better because I was pregnant. I’m glad I got to know him and I’m glad he was there for Kevin as an athlete and a coach.
I just found out about Coach. I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering you and your family have endured in your battle with this illness.
I have only the fondest memories of Coach Armstrong. I was a walk-on punter who later moved to wide receiver. As someone said in a previous post. Coach Armstrong treated the walk-ons and scholarship athletes alike. The interesting thing is that I did not play football in high school but played in the military. I can remember Coach being patient with me yet stern. At times I thought he was trying to see if I would quit when the going got tough, but it was his way, I think, of pushing me far enough to make me better. He would ignore me at times or call my name wrong. Looking back on it I know he was seeing if I had what it took to be a football player. He knew how to mold young men. I only played one down of football as a receiver in a game, but my time on the team was one of the greatest things in my life. And, it is in large measure due to Coach Armstrong’s influence. One of my favorite sayings that I still use today is “intestinal fortitude”. We alll need more of that to get through life.
Coach ran the scout team while I was there. I knew that my chances of playing in a game were slim, but I wanted to make Coach proud of the job I did on the practice field. I played hurt, sick, and bruised many times not to let him down. There are two moments that I think of from time to time that remain for me defining moments of my time on the team and stand as my greatest accomplishments, the approval of Coach Murray Armstrong. The first, I had been hurt for a couple of weeks from a twisted ankle and as my rehab was coming to a close Coach approached me one day and asked if I was ready to come back. I replied yes, to which he said, “good, we need you”. In that moment I had gone from being this walk-on to someone that Coach Armstrong respected. Wow!! Other Coaches respected players for their ability but Coach respected them for their character and heart. The second story comes to mind often when I think about how the little things in life mean the world to someone else. It was spring and I was about to graduate. I had one more year of eligibilty but decided to enter grad school. Coach saw me on campus and approached me and asked me if I would reconsider. He said that he thought I had the heart and determination to play the next year. He proceeded to give me one of his inspirational speeches and told the story of another walk-on who later became a pro and ended up in the SuperBowl. Whether I would have played or not is beside the point. I knew I had truly earned his respect as a football player. I don’t think any amount of game time could have replaced the feeling I had in that moment.
I live half-a-world away now in a village in Africa as a missionary. The lessons I learned from Coach about hard work and “intestinal fortitude” find there usefulness even here. The example of giving your life so that others can succeed still remains with me. There have been many times I have longed for home and familar things, like the smell of a fresh cut football field on a fall morning. I cannot experience those things now, but I have in my heart and mind, even the very fabric of my life the teaching, influences, sayings, and example of a great man who, although stood head and shoulders above most of us, knew how to bend down in order to build up. You will soon leave us Coach but your memory and legacy will not be gone or forgotten. For you reside in the hearts and minds of thousands of young men you have touched and molded into men. The investments you have made into countless lives will be deposited into countless more. If this is the measure of wealth you truly are a rich man.
May the God of all grace give you peace and strength (intestinal fortitude) as you face this final struggle. And just know even during this battle for life you are still teaching us how to live.
Ah, Coach Armstrong, what a gift you are. I would certainly never have “gotten into” high jumping at the advanced age of 50, had you not, on that fateful day in September, 2002, seen me looking through the fence at the pits, and invited me to “come one over here.” Trustingly, I climbed onto the golf cart with you and was whisked into the U of M track, and into the world of old-people’s track and field, where I remain.
And then, there was the episode of the dog who was tied up for weeks under the grandstands, causing great anguish for the Sunday afternoon track participants. We thought he was being abused–he was so thin, and he wouldn’t eat. Finally, we banded together and I came to you one Monday morning, teeth gritting, to say that one of us would adopt him to get him out of this miserable existence. You looked at me and said, “Well, that may just work out fine!” and pulled out a bottle of shampoo and a brush and new collar. Turned out the dog had barely survived a heartworm treatment and had been abandoned, but you and the grounds crew had adopted him until he was well enough to go to a permanent home. The vet had said the dog couldn’t walk around much, so that was why he was chained. And he wouldn’t eat because you guys had been feeding him your lunches for 3 weeks. But the day I came to “confront” you was the day the vet said he could be adopted out, and you were ready to clean him up and put him on display. (The dog, btw, is happily living with Mike and Debbie Walker, sleeping on the bed and living the life of Riley). But, this pup would not have made it if you had not taken him in. And, I should have known that was the case, but now I do. Thanks, Coach Armstrong–also thanks” from your 4-legged fans, too.
Don’t even get me started about the new-born kittens we found that day……
Best Regards and thanks,
Eleanor Gipson
Well Coach, I have scrolled down through all these marvelous tributes to you with tears streaming down my cheeks and a lump in my throat – what wonderful, articulate, heartfelt, well deserved messages of love and support.
The confidence that I had in you as the go to guy in the whole Athletic Department made my job in Athletic Academic Counseling so much easier and more enjoyable. At times we both found ouselves in difficult situations but I always knew I had your support,
It was a joy to know you and your family and I admire the ability you all, Murray, Joan, Sterritt and Brence, had to flourish in that gold fish bowl that was the Athletic Dorm.
And speaking of fish and your great tolerance, I remember when I put up an aquarium in my office in the Field House and soon there were tanks of fish all over the Athletic Dorm. I recall Tim Borcky had one and even Brence had a tank or two.
And you and Joan took it all in stride.
Maybe one of the greatest lessons I learned from you Coach was one from your example. I recall you pacing down the sidewalks talking to yourself – gesturing, banging on your clipboard, gathering your thoughts, and working out the details. That’s what I am doing now, writing this all out with my #2 pencil before I commit it to the computer for your perusal. I want to get it just right.
And now please, all of you, consider yourselves well hugged and kissed by me and know that you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Coach Armstrong, my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting you during our almost daily walks at the South Campus Athletic Complex with our Black and Tan Coonhounds. The first time we met we thought for sure you were going to tell us we couldn’t walk our dogs around the campus anymore; much to our surprise you wanted to meet us, share dogs stories and we kept current with the latest changes on the campus. Of course one of our Coonhounds barked every time he saw you on the golf cart; until one day he finally understood you were our friend.
We appreciated your kindness and friendship. Thank you for making our walks memorable. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Kind regards,
Faith and Jim Messineo & the Coonhounds (Elroy, Rudy & Marvin)
Coach A. I don’t know where to begin. During those days on the football field when it was freezing outside where you would pull up to me and ask what I needed to make myself warmer and get me an extra jacket or where you could tell I was having a bad day due to whatever reason and you would say get in you golf cart and drive around and tell me a joke or what to do to make it better. You just had a way with people and always had a great attitude towards everyone unless there were messing up your fields!
I was a Trainer from ’03-’07 and there wasn’t a day that I wouldn’t see you on the practice field until one of my last years there. You were gone and finally returned after a could of weeks to break the news to me about your condition. I was filing up water and pulled up beside me in your “trusty” golf cart and said get in, so I did. I asked where you had been and you told me you had been receiving treatment. It brought tears to my eyes but you said you were alright and would be here forever. Thats what I think about when I come back to Memphis. When ever I think of the U of M I think of, you, Coach A.
I became engaged to Will Hyden my last year of college and Coach A would always ask when the big day was and if he was good to me and If I was happy. For a man that wasn’t my father he sure did treat me like I was his daughter and I appreciated it so much especially during the hard times of college. Well we did get married and had a baby boy recently. I hope that when my son gets old enough to go to college and play football like his father that he has someone just like you to treat him like you did his parents all throughout college.
Thank you for your encouragement, your love towards people and your attitude towards life. The Hyden family sends all there love and prayers to you. Take care!
Heather Shepard Hyden
Coach Armstrong
I remember Coach being a little less abrubt on JD Dickerson and I in the mornings. He would knock, unlock the door, and I quote, ” Cook, Dickerson”. That would be it. Rarely did we get the “College time.”
My favorite story is when I was in my first few days of being a student trainer in football 3 a-days. I was out in the hall sitting on my taping table waiting for somone to tape. Coach Armstong was ranting about something that I couldn’t understand, and he just popped his head up and said, “That’s right, ain’t it Cook?” I just stared at him, and said “Ok, yep”. Didn’t know what else to say.
I wanted to tell Sterit how proud I was to watch Army play on TV and say I know the deep snapper. The boys were a joy to get to watch grow up during my stay at South Hall.
Unfortunately, though I have a couple of others that I could tell, but the people involved wouldn’t appreciate if I did.
Coach Armstrong,
Let me begin by saying that I have so many fond memories of my college life living at South Hall. I always admired you and Mrs. Joan for being so commited to the University and the Athletic Program, that you would raise two fine sons of your own as well as thousands of other young men through the years right there at South Hall. You didn’t have to wake us up each morning, but you did because you cared for us. You and Mrs. Joan didn’t have to put out sandwiches and snacks each night, but you did because you cared. You were stern but fair at all times.
I can assure you that there were thousands of parents that truly appreciated you as well through the years, because you took care of their sons every single day. One of my favorite quotes was “Men…Leave nothing to chance”. Looking back, I now realize the importance of this and how it has helped me throughout my adult life. I have used this and many other examples as I’ve raised my own children.
I’ll close with a funny memory. Freshman initiation during the bye week after the Ole Miss game. Some of my freshman teammates and I were dropped off in front of Richardson Towers, nude, and told to run back to South Hall. We didn’t make it. Security showed up with Coach Armstrong riding in the passenger seat. He rolled down his window, looked up, and said “Yep, they’re mine, get in men”.
We were his. We were all his. Any athlete that lived in South Hall was his. And We Are All Better For Knowing Him. Thank you Coach Armstrong for all that you’ve given me. I will be praying for you and your family.
I’ve just read every entry of well wishes and it makes me just sit back in my chair with my mind flooded with great memories…..
“College-Time” of course is at the top of the list, followed with when the earthquake shook us out of the dorm my freshman year, you wringing culprits necks after they’d set off bottle rockets under peoples doors, or laid trash cans filled with water leaned against someones door to splash when they opened it!…….man, the patience you possessed!…..you carried a big stick and yet never laid a hand on anyone!…….National Lampoon couldn’t touch us, yet with your presence just around the corner, we always knew when to stop…
just as so many others have already mentioned, you could be firm, but like a great father, you were always more than fair…
I now often ache with the various occasional pains that stemmed from getting rocked on the football field……you were there many times to help pick me up, after it was YOUR guys (defensive ends) that crushed me in the backfield!…
I’ve often told the story of the time you yelled for me during my senior year in the dorm’s chow line where you said, “Bettsey, I got good news & I got bad news……the good news, is I got the Oakland Raiders on the phone…..the bad news is they don’t want you as a quarterback, but want you as a free saftey, what do you want me to tell’em!?!”……it was my first spring since the 6th grade that I finally didn’t have to do anything and I was tired of getting beat up………somehow Jack Tatem & Lester Hayes made it without me
Coach, there are very few men on the planet that enter in their golden years dignified with the love, respect, and genuine admiration that surronds you now…..stay tough, and know that “the big eye in the sky” knows you’ve done good!….
I love ya & miss ya, and will always remember my life with you…
Rolling on the River, as a freshman I will always remember the Tiger pride that Uncle Murray instilled in all of us. I will also remember the guidance he provided as we grew into men. I truly have two men in my life that have had such a profoude impact in my life and I can without question say Murray Armstrong was one of them. His caring honesty for you as a student and football player (even the not so good ones) was profound.
Living in South Hall was a home thanks to the Armstrongs. We always felt safe even with the: bottle rocks, stink bombs, fire extingishers under your door. You could always count on the Armstrong’s resolving any issues.
Yes, I remember all the saying and the motivation you as a coach and Mother Armstong used as encouragement, but most of all I remember the honest caring and love you gave to the TIGER family.
It is my hope that all the Tigers of the future will have a Mom and Dad in South Hall that will enrich the lives of the Tigers to come.
With the deepest Respect and Admiration
John Clifton
Football 1976 – 1980
DAMAGE EM
with
Piss and Ginger
I did not know Coach Armstrong personally, but here is a quick story about him. One day several years ago it was snowing and sleeting. I was at a store, and when I got back to my car it was covered in ice. I got my ice scaper out and started scraping my windshield. I was dressed in a suit. The wind was blowing and it started snowing and sleeting harder. Suddenly a gentleman appeared and began helping me scrape my windshield. It was Coach Armstrong. He had been waiting in his car in the parking lot for his son. He told me I wasn’t dressed right for the weather and I looked cold so he thought he would help me out. I heard one time that the true definition of character was how a person treated others that could neither do something for them or to them. God bless Coach Armstrong.
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate who you are and the position you held as a teacher to us. It’s not easy teaching men by talking, but one thing all men respect is one who leads by example. You are that individual and I am blessed to have had you look over me while I was in Memphis. The stories that I have read are all to true and make me smile and reflect on those special days. Coach you have changed so many lives that I know you may never realize how many, but I hope reading these letters brings back the same fond memories for you as it has for us all. You are a real legacy that really made a difference. I will pray tonight for you that God would comfort and heal you in this time if it be “HIS” will and also Thank “HIM” for allowing someone so special and impactful as you Coach Armstrong to be in my life and so many others. We need more special people in this world like you Coach A. Thank you for who you are and all you have impacted!
73 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 8, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Rodney Bright
Well, my experience in South Hall was highlighted by a not so pleasant encounter with Coach Armstrong. One Friday night, myself and another baseball player roommate decided to have a battle with some golfers who resided on the first floor with us. Me and my roommate ended up aquiring a fire extinguisher and using it against said golfers. Needless to say, the yellow powder found its way onto the floor which it covered quite well. Unfortunately, it didn’t disappear before morning, when Coach Armstrong took a tour of our hallway. I knew it was bad when I could hear him screaming down the hall, and his voice became louder as he approached our room. As he opened our door, with some force, I feigned being asleep, which only inspired Coach to get louder and more creative with his words. I can still hear him yelling my name to get out of bed (the golfers had snitched us out) in a somewhat demanding tone. We spent a lot of time cleaning up our mess, and I was banned from eating in the dining hall for a week. Thank goodness for Mrs. Armstrong who saw that we did not go hungry. I’m sorry to hear of Coach Armstrong’s battle, but know that he is a fighter. May God bless Coach Armstrong and his family.
Rodney A. Bright, Memphis State Baseball 1985-88.
October 8, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Collins Day
Hey Coach!
i just wanted to drop you a line and wish you well! Every time i reflect on my college life i remember the mornings and I laugh! I never told you thank you for the memories but i have a lot of them thanks to you and you always started my morning with a smile or a laugh. Thanks for being the dorm dad you were and only you could ever have been that type of dorm dad. I missed some classes from time to time but there were a lot more that i went to because you were on my butt!! You left the athletic department better than you found it and i left The University of Memphis a better man than for having you in my life! Thanks for all you have done for me and thousands of other student athletes that attended MSU and The U of M! Get well soon!
Collins Day
U of M baseball 1992-1996
October 8, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Billy Kirk
Coach Armstrong and his lovely family was a mom and dad away from home when I first entered South Hall. I will never forget the wake-up knocks with his baseball bat to ensure that we were up and headed to class. I can still hear him say “wake-up, sharpen your #2 pencils and get your butt to class” like it was yesterday. I was very young and immature and Coach Armstrong did not allow me to get away with anything in my time in Memphis. What a fine man and I want him and his wife to know how much I appreciate them for all they did to help me transition to being a man. I will lift you and your family up in prayer and know that you made a difference in my life and many others.
October 8, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Hank McDowell
Well Coach A,
I could talk about the smack-taking between football & basketball players at the dorm. Or, how the golfers (first floor) tried being athletes by hanging out on the 3rd floor, or the fight in the lobby that knocked over a potted plant that belonged to Mrs. A. But, one of my finer moments begins early on a Saturday morning!
It’s about 7:00 am. My day off! When all the sudden the door is being rocked off its hinges and keys are jingling and Coach A is screaming for Dennis Isbell’s head! The door comes flying open and Coach is screaming for Bell. The only problem was Dennis wasn’t there, but my girfriend was. I got in all kinds of trouble (not because of anything I did) because my roommate had made Coach A mad as a hornert about something.
If only we could turn the clock back! I loved those days with you and your family Coach! Thank you for everything that you’ve done for the University and the thousands of athletes that you’ve touched.
Hank McDowell
October 8, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Jon Albright
I always will remember understanding the importance of number 2 pencils, crayons and coloring books as I prepared to go to college. Coach made a lasting impression with his quips and humerous stories. You only hoped they were not directed at you. As I became a junior and senior Coach would begin with various history lessons and his pearls of wisdom. I always left for class with a chuckle.
Coach , Mrs. Armstrong and their family always made me feel welcome. I was twelve (12) hours from my home in North Carolina and did not get to leave the dorm very often. The Holidays were always quiet with most of the guys having gone home, but the Armstrongs were always there. Thanks so much for your care.
Jon Albright Memphis State Basketball 1980-84
October 8, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Will Hyden
One of my favorite memories of my football experience at Memphis and with Coach A. was the first time I met him. It was during Fall camp my Freshman year and I heard him use a saying that I still “Barrow” from him today. It was very early in the morning and all of the freshman had to get from South Hall to the Athletic Complex, and as we were getting into the vans to go over there I heard Coach A. say the saying that I remember him by. He would say, ” to be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is to be left”. I can still hear him say that to this day. Coach A. is a Great Man and I am sad to hear about his condition. I just hope he knows the positive impact that he had on so many people, and Memphis Tigers throughout his time at the University. They say you can’t take anything with you when you leave this world, and that may be true but what Coach A. realized a long time ago is that is not the important part. The important part is what you leave behind, he has left lasting memories with so many people and helped shape the character of the young men that he came in contact with and he will not be forgotten. This is a great way for us to keep up with how he is doing and I hope people write down some of their stories because I am sure we will all feel like we were there and experienced those same things.
October 8, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Marcus "Doc" Holliday
When you think University of Memphis athletics you think Coach Armstrong. When you think South Hall you think Coach Armstrong. Coach A is one of the finer men, coaches, fathers, husbands, I know. The guidance and discipline he provided to thousands of University of Memphis/Memphis State athletes is priceless. He’s a major reason why anyone who ever lived in South Hall under Coach A’s supervision has enjoyed any kind of success. I still recall and miss those days of Coach A walking down the hall, banging on doors yelling COLLEGE TIME, COLLEGE TIME!. Coach Armstrong would open your door (early in the morning), wake you up with “verbal pleasantries” he could only think of. Coach Armstrong you are sincerely appreciated, loved, respected, and admired. Thank you so very much Coach for being who you are!
Marcus “Doc” Holliday
October 8, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Marlowe Hinson
Coach Armstrong was an amazing person to have in the middle of the craziness we called college. While most of us attempted to get into as mischief as possible without getting arrested (and going to class every now and then) Coach Armstrong was waking us, running us, feeding us, and talking to himself with his hand in perpetual motion. He was the most imitated coach at South Hall, but no one could perfect the complexity of all his mannerisms. My favorite story happened one Sunday evening while I and my roommate were sitting in our room watching TV. All of the sudden we heard the door knob rattling. The door burst open and Coach Armstrong let himself in. We both were waiting for him to say something, but he never did. He just walk over to our miniature refrigerator, open it, and pull out a cold twelve pack of beer. As he left our room with the beer in tow, he turn to us as he closed the door and said, “This light beer is for (wimps), don’t anybody drink real beer anymore?” Memphis wouldn’t have been Memphis without Coach Armstrong.
October 8, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Jay Fik
Just like everyone that has or will post to this site, I always have thought you were best thing in the world for U of M athletics. You kept any athlete that had to set foot on the south campus in line. My favorite memories are of you driving around the gas powered golf cart with that “trash pincher” device…making fun of coach Hop and coming on our bus before road trips and telling us things like “…don’t tell me about the pain, just show me the baby” or “…shoot hard and shoot low-the prize is victory.” That always motivated us as a “baseball” team.
The funnies is when Coach A would come in the weight room while the baseball team was lifting weights and tell us to “get the heck(or something to that effect) out of here and go hit some baseballs!!…Babe Ruth never lifted weights!”
We love you and everything you stand for..
Jay Fik
Baseball ’97-’01
October 8, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Steve Blume
It has been 35 years since I showed up as a stupid freshman, excited to be there, but scared to death. I can still hear that booming voice of Coach Armstrong . . . “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING???” He reigned terror over us young freshman, making you tremble at the sound, but after a year or so you knew it was all a bluff. It was then you noticed the grin after he yelled at you.
Okay, Coach. I confess. One night I sneaked 4 girls into the dorm who wanted to say they had been in there. We knew the penalty for getting caught, but it WAS 4 girls. When the word came you were headed down the hall checking rooms, I panicked. I could hear the doors opening one by one from your key. When you got to mine, I was on the bed with a book. You said “lights out” and went on. You didn’t know I had shoved them into the bathroom. I didn’t know my suite mate was in there with his paper. It was a very awkward situation since they could not come out and he could not get up. It was a memorable night for all, but thank goodness not for you!
I have great memories of those days, and Coach Armstrong is always in the middle of them. I am appreciative of the impact he had on me, and it was always great to know that he was still there, years after I was gone. Some things never change.
Steve Blume
Football ’73-’75
October 8, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Ramon Aguillon- Class of 1997
I’ll always remember coach Armstrong for his dedication to all of U of M sports, including one of his least favorite (soccer). Basically because we used the football fields for our practices and he did not enjoy that at all!! But he always found ways to show his support for our teams. Attending many of our games and just being there for us.
October 8, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Frank Free
Coach Armstrong is a model of everything a man represents. During my time at Memphis, I was a young and immature college kid with no real direction. Coach Armstrong set boundaries and taught me the value of hard work and character. More importantly, he taught me about consequences and opportunity. I often think back to a sign which hung by the dining hall door in South Hall that read ” Your actions and appearance speak so loud, I cannot hear a word you say”. That same sign hangs in the room of my son today. That statement is the backbone of everything the Armstrong Family exemplifies. My favorite Coach Armstrong story is one that shows how much he loved to compete and win. We had just beaten Ole Miss in the Liberty Bowl and were riding the buses back to South Hall. It was parents weekend, so it was quieter than usual on the bus due to many parents riding back to the dorm with us. As we approached South Hall, Coach Armstrong could contain his excitement no longer. He turned and announced to the whole bus “I’d rather walk through hell with gasoline underwear than mess with them Memphis State Tigers!” God Bless you Coach, you have affected so many lives, including mine, in ways that cannot be measured.
October 8, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Mike Anderson "Iron Mike"
Coach Armstrong was a daddy away from home for most who lived at South Hall. I remember my first night in Memphis. It was freezing cold in the room and I arrived only with a razor thin blanket. I was having problems getting adjusted being away from home and cold when he open the door for the nightly checks. Like a daddy, he recognized that I was cold and missing home. He closed the door and came back minutes later with a nice warm blanket. He spared my pride about missing home and allowed me to deal with it which attributed to my self developement and growth afterward. There are hundreds other examples of Coach Armstrong impact on my life. Coach, we all love you and admire who you are. May God bless you and keep you.
Mike Anderson
October 8, 2008 at 2:59 pm
bryan "pookie" wimberly
Coach A-
I can honestly say that i haven’t woken up the same as i did at south hall in the past 12 years. days were certainly started with either laughter or a good old-fashioned, and probably well deserved, butt chewing. i certainly appreciate the role that you played in my life at that time and the impact that you had on me. i will never forget the morning that you threatened to “call yo’ damn mama” after finding beer next to my bed. what a butt chewing that was. incidentally, so you will know, that was not my beer. it belonged to marco and one of your kickers, andy mc! thanks again for being so great. i honestly appreciate, admire, and respect you.
October 8, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Kevin Bohannon
I will always be in debt to Coach Armstrong. After my sophomore year of football I tore my knee to shreds during offseason drills. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue on with the team and ended up taking the fall semester off from school to earn enough money to re-enroll in the spring, since I was a walk-on. That fall, there was the coaching change from Coach Scherer to Coach West. I contacted Coach Armstong about a possible return to the team with Coach West’s approval. Although this return never did materialize, Coach Armstrong took it upon himself to set up a meeting with Ms. Horton(the athletic academic advisor at the time) so that I could get back in school and on schedule for graduation, even though I was no longer a part of the football team. I sat down sometime that spring and wrote Coach Armstrong a letter letting him know how much that simple gesture meant to me. It probably wasn’t that big of a deal to him, but it meant the world to a twenty-year-old kid who just watched his playing career end a few months before. Coach “A”, I am sorry to hear about your condition, but wish you and your family the best. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and thank you again.
Kevin Bohannon
Football ’98-00
October 8, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Rob Bertling
The one thing no one ever wanted to do was to let Coach A down. I think I feared death less than disappointing the man, especially since I was a special teams guy. In 1994, my senior year, we travelled to Louisville to play the hated Cardinals. It was a huge game and we all knew how important it was. During pre-game warmups I felt a twinge in my right hamstring. At first I thought I could just stretch it out, but the closer the game got I knew it was going to be a problem. I told Coach A about the problem and he asked if I was ok to play. I told him I was going to try. Well, after the first punt I knew that I was not going to be able to continue despite my fears of telling Coach A. I drummed up the strength to tell him and he just stares at me for what seemed like forever and then he turned and walked away. I had let the man down, and telling him was harder than I ever imagined.
We go on and end up losing a very close game in the waning minutes, and the flight back to Memphis is long and quiet. The only thing I remember Coach saying to me for the rest of the day was to bet at the complex early the next day for treatment.
I arrive early, as instructed and after team meetings we go out to “work the kinks out”. I am still unable to fully participate so I am an observer. Coach A still hasn’t said anything to me, other than instructions to be at treatment. I am feeling pretty self-conscious at this point. Coach A finally calls up all of the special team guys on field one and he is asking the other guys how they feel. “is your leg tired?”, “do you need more reps?”, things like that. Then all of the sudden Coach A turns and looks at me. I am thinking, here it comes! Coach A scowls, and in that deep, gruff voice he says, “Bertling! I have one question.” I say, “yes Coach?” “Bertling, how in the HELL do you pull FAT!” At that point the whole group bursts into laughter and simultaneously I knew that I was gonna be just fine.
There is no way I can ever describe the impact that Murray Armstrong has had on my life. Other than my father and mother, he is the most influential person in my upbringing. The phrase “anything easy, isn’t worth a damn” will always echo in my mind. So many of us are better people because he and Mrs. Armstrong treated us just like we were there own kids. I am honored and blessed to have had a small place in their life. Thank you Coach and Mrs. A. We love you both.
October 8, 2008 at 3:50 pm
bill hamilton
well of all the people that i was introduced to/coach and his lovely wife joan/keep me from leaving with less than a week working with doc smith
coach i can always say you are a credit to the coaching profession
and to the people that you watched /and the one i remember was knocking on jim goate door and telling him to deliver the keg of beer
back to the alley where he had borrowed it in overton square
You were and always will be atrue southern gentleman/mean when
you had to but with a solid gold heart/May God always be with you
and again Thank you for your leadership/everyday/to everyone
October 8, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Mike Dion
To the Murray Armstrong Family,
I just received Tim Duncan’s email concerning Murray’s condition. I didn’t know Murray was sick or I would have reach out much earlier, but of course that’s typically Coach Armstrong’s way. A true Man’s Man.
So here is an example of this so called “dorm daddy” who we all love and admired.
In the fall of 1978, I was a walk on for MSU Football Team. The agreement I had with my dad was he would pay for one year, so I can live in athletic dorm so I could try in fulfilling my aspiration towards being a college football player.
As anyone knows , being a walk on is difficult not only having to compete with other fine athletes but with scholarship players ,who the university has invested their time and money in bring in towards developing the school’s football program.
As a scout team / blocking dummy member, I had the opportunity in being under the watchful eye of a coach, named Murray Armstrong. Murray was not only supportive in my quest but a personal confidant in which during those challenging first month’s I would have discussion around my fears and desire in making the football team. Of course, he would always say continuous performance on the field is the critical factor towards either having success or failure, bottomline. Perform better than the other guy. Of course , that’s easier said than done sometimes, But Murray provided an open ear and encouragement to this walk – on player. He didn’t have to do this but it’s because of type of man he is. One with Integrity, Committment, Loyality. He always showed passion .. lot’s of “verbal passion” in supporting and caring for his scout team members and kickers. Murray and Barbara were always there for us all. I’ll never be able to repay Murray for his support and mentoring during those 5 years I player for the Tigers. As I hope he knows, he was important influence during my college years.
Thank you Coach, I would have never reached my college playing dreams without your mentoring and support.
With love and respect to you all,
Mike Dion
Tiger Football 1978 – 1982
October 8, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Damon Young
I would find it very hard to believe that there is any person/family who has given more to Memphis State/University of Memphis than Coach Armstrong and his family. Both Coach and Mrs. Armstrong made a positive impact on so many young mens lives over the years. Every athlete in the dorm mattered to Coach and Mrs. Armstrong and it showed in how they treated/respected each and every athlete who lived in their home(South Hall).
Amazingly, Coach always remembers every player and easily calls them by name. I remember how he always rembered parents names when they visited the dorm. How? Why? you might ask. BECAUSE IT/PEOPLE MATTER TO HIM. I still try to be 10 minutes early to any commitment/event and send in emails to the players/parents of kids I coach “If your 10 minutes early your 10 minutes late!!!”
I’m sure every athlete remembers the thousands of quotes Coach Armstrong hung on the walls. My favorite is “Never let it be said of you, He had the will but his body failed him.” I first saw that quote during camp my freshman year and used it as inspiration/motivation to during workouts/conditioning during my playing days. I constantly repeat that quote to my 3 sons and every player I coach in youth sports.
I still spell 6- C I X – when my peewee football team scores a touchdown because that is how Coach Armstrong would spell 6 when he was taunting the 1st string defense after his scout team had scored a touchdown on them. He would shout “YEAH THATS RIGHT C I X 6 POINTS!!!!!!
I have so many positive memories/experiences because of Coach Armstrong. I appreciate the opportunity to tell both Coach & Mrs. Armstrong how glad I am to have shared part of my life with them. They provided me with many fond memories and helped prepare me for life beyond football and South Hall. The values/morals they represent
will continue for many years in the lives of the athletes/young men they coached/parented while at the university.
Coach Armstrong is a Bigger Than Life Personality who always remains true to his thoughts/beliefs. THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES. THANK YOU FOR THE WORDS OF WISDOM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I LOVE YA’LL.
October 8, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Dick Cockrell
In the fall of 1965 I was a Freshman football player on Coach Armstrong’s undefeated Freshman Tiger team. Two wins against Southern Illinois and Gordon Military Academy and a win and a fight(also won) that raged about 15 minutes at the end of the Southern Mississippi game. Go figure!
I think it was two years later, I’m fairly certain it was Skeeter Gowan’s team, but the Freshman Tigers lost 33 to 0 to LSU and I think that was the halftime score also. The story goes that Coach Armstrong strolled into the locker room at half time with that really mean and angry look that he liked to give to people to show he was serious about something. He was drinking one of those bottle cokes and he stops in the middle of the room with players doing all kinds of things around him and he suddenly throws the coke bottle to the floor as hard as he can and coke and glass flys everywhere. It scared everyone of them including a few 260 pound tackles. The strategy obviously worked because the team played enormously better the second half.
Back at Robinson Hall it was all anybody could talk about and I think it was Rusty Nunn walked up to coach and said, “you really didn’t do that did you”
Coach looked at him and got this giant grin on his face and said, “Yep, I really had ‘em going”
That was a lot of the way Coach Armstrong was and while I haven’t seen him in years, the last time at the Superlo grocery on Southern a few years back, he probably is exactly that way today. Yell loud to be heard, grimace and growl for effect, but deep down inside where it really counts he was a Prince.
Thanks, Coach Armstrong, you ARE one of my heros.
Dick
October 8, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Kevin Weaver
Coach A,
Reading these stories makes me laugh and want to cry. Arriving in 1999, I was unfortunate to live in South Hall when you ran the place. I will admit, things were a bit wilder after your tenure.
I do have on estory that will NEVER leave my memory. As a young freshman manager, Bo Hazlewood and I came up with an idea that we would practice our golf chipping on Field 2 (Boy did I know what that was going to result in). As I sat in the equipment window in the old complex, I hear you coming down the hall, “Where’s Weaver?”. I knew I was in for it so I got out of the window and got in the equipment room. You got as close to me as you could, without coming in the room, and let this tirade out, “If you EVER bring a damn golf club on those practice fields again, I’m going to wrap it around your neck and stuff it up your ass!!!”. That was the maddest I had ever saw you. This happened in the early afternoon as every player came to get their gear for practice. Needless to say I never did that again. I then learned that you did the same to Steve Haslip of Channel 3, only you weren’t as kind to him!
You are such an incredible man. I know you probably will not find time to read these but I truly miss my time at Memphis. It will not be the same going back out there without you. I will only be so lucky to become a man that you were to so many young men that ventured through Memphis. We love you coach!!
Kevin Weaver (1999-2005, Grad and Undergrad Football Manager)
October 8, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Tony Graves
Over the course of a young man’s life, most come in contact with an individual or individuals who profoundly impact their lives. For me, those individuals are my father and Murray Armstrong. I know in my heart that without the support, encouragement, and confidence Coach Armstrong unselfishly bestowed upon me during my four years as a Tiger football player, I would have never seen the field.
I will be forever grateful for the memory when, as a wide-eyed freshman walk-on, Murray Armstrong threw me into a game against Wichita State on October 23, 1976 and told me “Damage ‘em.” I will also never forget the look on his face when I came off the field after making the tackle on that kickoff. He didn’t have to say a word. A simple look and grin from Coach Armstrong were worth a thousand words of praise.
Coach Armstrong and Mrs Joan opened their South Hall home to all of us, cared for us like their own, and (a lot of times in spite of us) raised their two sons to be fine men.
Over 30 years later, Murray Armstrong’s influence still has an effect on me to be a life-long learner and to appreciate the value of higher education.
God broke the mold when he made Murray Armstrong.
I love you Coach, Miss Joan, Sterritt and Brence. You all are in my prayers.
Tony Graves
Football Tiger
1976-1979
October 8, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Page Belongy
Coach Armstrong and family, I am truly blessed to have had you in my life at such a formable time. Everything didn’t always go as planned and we went through a lot as a team and family during my time at Memphis State.
The untimely deaths of Coach Dockery, Coach Faros, Charles Greenhill and Glen Jones during this time Coach Armstrong was a rock and showed all of us how to handle this tradgedy with grace and dignity. I will always be grateful for that guidance.
Also, I will always remember hearing Coach Armstrong coming down the hall, going door to door finally reaching my room and saying.” Alright Belongy and Sparkman get your Jack and Jill notebooks and your No 2 pencils and get your moth eaten ass to college”.
Coach may God bless you and watch over you and your family.
My prayers are with you
Page Belongy
October 8, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Keith Cobb
Coach Armstrong is man that truely respected and loved by many. I can remember Coach Armstrong blowing his whistle to get us up for camp every morning, it was one of those love/hate sounds. You loved because you knew you wasn’t going to be late, you hated it because no matter what time you went to sleep during camp it was never enough time. Every morning that whistle seemed as if it was louder and earlier. During recruiting he would always bring the recruits and their parents by our room to see a nice, orderly, clean room. I remember at practice one day some of the guys were complaining about roaches in their rooms and Coach Armstrong said “if you would keep your room clean like the Cobb boys you wouldn’t have roaches”. Those and other memories will last a lifetime.
GOD Bless You
Keith Cobb
October 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm
John Bush
Coach Armstrong, who could ever forget the many mornings you woke up all the Tiger players. One of your many famous sayings was “get your nappy funky butt out of that bed”. You really don’t no what a person means in your life until you move on with yours. Coach Armstrong you were a constant part of my life when I needed someone positive in it. You always believed in us as players but men first. We can never repay you for being that father figure a lot us of never had. Thanks for every thing. “A Tiger for life”
My prayers are with and Mrs. A
October 8, 2008 at 10:00 pm
COMMANDER DIMITRI DELGADO, USCG
My fond first memory of Coach Armstrong has nothing to do with South Hall. You see, I transfered to UofM after playing a year at Purdue University and decided I was going to walk on at UofM. Not knowing where to go, I found myself standing in the parking lot between South Hall and the football offices.
I was kind of milling about when all of a sudden this very large man approached me with a look of doubt in his mind. It kind of struck me that he may have thought that I was up to no good. In a gruff voice he inquired “is there something I can do for you?” I guess he was protecting his “kids” in the dorm from the stranger. I responded, “I am here to play ball.” His response to that bit of information wound up being a Murray standard for the next three years I was with him, “Hot damn.”
Coach,
I had many coaches in my life through Pop Warner, HS, Purdue, and UofM and it is with all certainty that I say publicly that none of them had the impact that you had on me. You believed in me when, on some occasions, there was no reason too. Whenever I came back to UofM after graduation, you always seemed happy to see me and it took me back to the day we met. As an officer in the military I live without the sense of “home” with all of the deployments and moves. Anytime I saw you, I was home and I cherish the gift.
Currently I am a Commander in the United States Coast Guard and perform international engagements in the world of anti-terrorism. My job takes me to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and many many other places that are a long way from the South Hall parking lot. I would not possess whatever it is that allows me to do this sort of work if I had not been standing in that specific parking lot on that specific afternoon. I am what I am, in very large measure, because of who and what you are. You are respected, loved, and revered by the Delgado family.
Alex, my 8 year old son knows who you are and often asks, “Dad, is Coach Armstrong going to want me to play at UofM?” My answer is the same every time he asks….”Alex, Coach Armstrong would have to be crazy to not want you on his team and he is NOT CRAZY. He is a great man and you are going to learn a lot from him. A little about football and a TON ABOUT LIFE.”
God bless you coach.
Commander, Dimitri Delgado, USCG
UofM Football, 1985-1988
October 9, 2008 at 3:52 am
Jeff Bazemore
There are few people in this world that you come across in a short period of time that make a “real” difference in your life. Coach Armstrong is one of them. When I think about my time at the University of Memphis, his words have probably meant the most to me.
Two stories come to mind when I think about Coach A:
“Little Rogue Warrior”
For some reason he always called me his “Little Rogue Warrior” which is in reference to the title of Richard Marcinko’s motivational books about the Navy Seal missions in Vietnam(Coach A even gave me a book with his autograph which I still have today.) I remember the day I became his “Little Rogue Warrior” as he pulled me aside after practice my freshman year. He could tell I was frustrated with the lack of playing time I was getting and he said “Son, If those coaches ain’t gonna play you on offense, I’ll take you on every special team I got, but you gotta be tough, you gotta be a “Rogue Warrior” or I’ll sit your butt on the pine with the rest of those “yellow bellies!” I said “Coach I may not know what a “Rogue Warrior” is, but I know I ain’t scared either.” I could see the normal scowl he has on his face turn into somewhat of a smile as he said, “Bazemore, A Rogue Warrior is someone who finds his role, masters it, and leads with determination and courage. I need a guy like that on my special teams and I think you can be that guy” From that point on I made it my mission to give everything I had to be a great special teams player whether it was practice or in the game. Fast forward to my Junior year before the Lousville game, Coach A pulled me aside and said, “Bazemore, are you gonna block a punt today, or are you gonna stand on the sideline and stare at the cheerleaders?” I told coach I would try to make something happen which seemed to make him mad as he said, “You ain’t no Rogue Warrior, Bazemore. A Rogue Warrior don’t try, he does!” and he walked off. As luck would have it, we ended up blocking a punt and I ran it in for the go ahead score with about a minute left. I ran over to Coach Armstrong and hugged him and said, “That was for you!” He looked at me with a scowl on his face and said, “I didn’t tell you to score a touchdown, Bazemore, I told you to block a dang punt! Now get your slow white butt out there and make a tackle or I’ll take you off my coverage team….Rogue Warrior!”….guess who made the tackle.
“Whiskey Bottles”
During the first couple of weeks of my Junior Spring semester, I began collecting all the whiskey bottles and beer bottles that we would drink and I would place them on the desktop in the dorm(everybody knows that long desktop in the old dorms!). It didn’t take long before I had bottles lined up from one end of the room to the other. Along with all the “fun” I was having, my grades started slipping a bit and I was definitely not being a model student athlete. I remember one evening I had the door open with the music blaring while drinking a beer and Coach Armstrong walked by. He stopped, looked at me shaking his head and said, “Son, I bet you’re real proud of yourself with that collection of whiskey bottles on that there wall, huh?” I sat there quiet with a stupid look on my face trying not to agitate him anymore, but it was too late. He pointed his finger at me and went off on about a 5 minute tirade. I couldn’t make out half of the words he was saying because he was talking so fast and he was so mad. I just remembered the last couple of sentences which he said something to the effect of, “Bazemore, you got 2 minutes to clear out them bottles or I’m coming in and I’m gonna crack your friggin head with one of them whiskey bottles! After you wake up, I’m gonna call your momma and daddy and tell them what a sorry student you are and to come pick your sorry butt up and take you back to that piece of land in lower Alabama where they found you!” Needless to say, whiskey bottles started flying out that room into the garbage cans and I ended up finishing the semester on the Dean’s List. I didn’t have another sip of whiskey the rest of the semester!
These memories along with many others will forever be with me and have shaped my life profoundly. I apologize for the length of this message, but no amount of words can sum up Coach Armstrong’s contributions to this University and its students. Coach “A” has truly made The University of Memphis a better place.
To a True Tiger Hero!
Jeff Bazemore(Memphis Football 95-99)
your “Rogue Warrior”
October 9, 2008 at 3:57 am
Marquis Bowling
I came to Memphis as a walk-on & Coach Armstrong was in charge of the walk-ons at that time. For somebody that had never known me outside of the few times that we’d spoken, let along someone that had never even seen me play, Coach A treated me with the utmost respect. I still remember those early morning whistles that first camp, and other camps to follow, that Coach Armstrong would blow to wake us up. I also remember some of those songs that sometimes accompanied those whistles, “Drop ya cocks & pick up ya sox, it’s time to go for a run!” I know this for a fact; you’d be hard pressed to find anybody on this planet that knows more about special teams & the history or Memphis football than Coach Armstrong. Just this week I was speaking with a Highland Hundred member who was telling me that our current special teams could use a little facelift, the first thing that came out of my mouth was “they should go talk to Coach Armstrong!” Sadly, it was then I was informed of Coach A’s situation and just had far it had progressed. On the field he would always tell us, “Men you have 1 chance to be perfect” & that’s one of the things I’ll take with me from Coach A. My senior year I was given an award that allowed me to address the audience, this was my “1 chance to be perfect” & I made the most of it & thanked Coach A for all the wonderful support that he provided me from day 1. A few years later returning home for a game, I spoke with Coach Armstrong & he told me that he really appreciated my acknowledgment of him & he said that he’d never forget the things that I said about him. Coach A, really hope you know just how much I really meant every single word I said that night…
To Coach A & Mrs. A, THANK YOU! The impact that you both have made on countless young men can never be measured.
October 9, 2008 at 6:55 am
Trey Dockery
Coach –
Tom Yatsula and I were laughing at our (one of our) favorite Coach A stories just yesterday. As alot of them do, it involved Danny Sparkman. We were laughing about the fact the you had someone “ASSIGNED” to make sure that he physically left South Hall in the morning! We appreciate you and (Marty Mosby, I think) keeping Danny in school!
When I talk about Coach A to anyone who has not been associated with the program over the years, I talk about how we were a family. I always say how if it weren’t for you and Joan, that alot of the men would not have been successful and would not have go on to be successful in life either. The simple fact of the matter is that you and your family were there to help raise us as one of your own.
You have touched many, many lives and for that we are all grateful.
The Dockery Family
October 9, 2008 at 8:09 am
Jason Austin
Coach A,
It had been a few years since I have made it up to Memphis, but the last time I did we had a long conversation in the tunnel of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. I will never forget that moment. I will also never forget your funny sayings during Winter Workouts in the old turfroom. It would be 10 degrees in there and you could always motivate us to get off our ass and on our feet because offseason programs can’t be beat. You are and were an inspiration to many people.
I hate that you are having to go through what you are going through. My own son, who is 5, is fighting his own battle with Leukemia right now. He reminds me a lot of you. He wants to worry about others and does not want all the attention placed on himself. He wants to go out of his way to make sure others have something before he does. If there is anything that I can do for you or your family, please let me know. You will constantly be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jason Austin
Winder, GA
Memphis Football 97-01
October 9, 2008 at 10:18 am
Derrick Burroughs
I too just found out about coach Armstrong’s sickness. Growing up in Mobile ,Alabama and coming from a single parent household coach Armstrong was the first experience of what it was like to have a father in the house. For some of us like me coach Amstrong was everything we needed and when we needed it. I can’t count the countless time coach caught me doing wrong and it never made it’s way to anyone. I often waited on my punishments which never came. Coach I never told you,but if you have an opportunity to read this just know you were the father I never had and still to this day I have been around lot of coaches, as a player and now as a coach,and you always, no matter what,treated all of us the same. People talk about player being treated fair but you, You are a special man. Coach I love you and even though I grew up with 8 sisters and 1 brother and none of us knew what it was like to have a father,for 5 years I did. I cant still hear you wakeing all of us up in the morning saying
Burroughs git ya black ass up and go to classs
October 9, 2008 at 11:45 am
Phillip Isaacman, "zeke"
Coach,
I’ll never forget the times you gave us so much encouragement for our journeys not only on the field, but off… You spoke to a group of pitchers once and i’ll never forget what you said. You spoke about the 3 W’s:
Women.
Whiskey.
Gambling.
Drugs.
Nevermind that you mentioned 4 things. Nevermind that they didn’t all start with W… I understand you had a deeper purpose in your message. And that was to get a bunch of kids to listen to what you had to say. It worked, and I tell people stories about you all the time. Thanks.
October 9, 2008 at 11:59 am
Phillip Isaacman, "zeke"
Coach,
I’ll never forget that old blue suburban… that truck even looked like it was gonna kick everyone else’s car’s asses.
I’ll also never forget the time you told us about the 3 W’s:
Women,
Whiskey,
Gambling,
Drugs.
Never mind that there’s 4 items mentioned. Never mind that they don’t all start with W. Your point was to get a bunch of knuckleheads to pay attention to you… and it worked. I tell people stories on you all the time, Coach. You are a great man, and a great mentor.
October 9, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Chris Powers
Coach A,
There are so many stories that I dont even dnow where to begin. The morning wakeups, power being turned off until we cleaned up the hall, America’s Team, the Big-Ass Team, trying to stay out of the “Swamp”……..How can anyone not think of you when they think of Memphis Football?
I do have to thank you for bailing us out of the Liberty Bowl Incident. I remember it like it was yesterday….you walked up to Sells and me, “Get your girls in the car, get your asses in the car, and dont stop til you get to South Hall!”
Thank you for everything you ever did for me and most importantly, thank you for helping me become the man I am today. You are in my prayers.
Chris Powers
October 9, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Matt Beiriger
When I arrived in the Spring of 1994 I was a freshman, out of my element and away from home. You and your family took me in with open arms. I can’t thank you, Mrs. A, Brence, and Sterritt enough for that. I honestly don’t know if I could have stuck out the first semester without that support. I consider you all family. Thank you for that.
On the field, you taught us how to be men. I remember on special teams you would say “Men, you get one chance at this, one chance…don’t screw it up”. It certainly made me focus on the mission at hand. You made me want to get the job done to make you proud. That’s how you motivate people. I knew you cared and you certainly showed it in your own way. I also knew that you did these things because you believed we could do better. Getting ignored would mean you gave up on us, and you never did.
Coach A., if there ever was a fighter I know it’s you. Get well.
Matt Beiriger, Football, 1994-1999
October 9, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Susie & Rick Fogle (Jason)
During our son’s recruitment, I asked Coach A., “when coaches first call, they talk to me; after that they want to talk to Susie.” Coach’s answer
–”if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy”. A wonderful, colorful man who touched alot of young men. (the players secretely recorded the Coach’s “wake-up” call–they would not let Susie listen to it)
October 9, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Kenny Smith
I’ve never experienced a more influential counselor/coach than Coach Armstrong. Having been a walk-on for 3 years beginning in 1975 the most important thing he showed me was his honesty – there was no bs about playing time, depth chart position, etc. On at least 7 occasions I sheduled an appointment with him to discuss my progress/performance – why? – because I knew that I would always get the truth from that man, and sometimes it was not favorable towards me. But it was the truth and it was fair and it was the right thing to do.
May God bless you Coach Armstrong – for you have always been a straight-up, stand-up guy – and I have the utmost respect for you.
October 9, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Ryan Ivey
Coach A-
Words can’t express what you have meant to me and the person I have become. I remember my first visit to Memphis, with my dad. We pulled up to South Campus to meet with Coach Huesman. We were early so we started to walk around and here you pull up on your golf cart asking if we needed help. We introuced ourselves and told you we were from Mayfield, KY. As soon as you heard Mayfield you began to ask questions to see if we knew a former player in the “70′s (I won’t mention his name). You began to tell us of the story of how one night he decided he would do some streaking across campus. In your story you said, “Hell, the worst part wasn’t that he was streaking. The worst part was that our starting Quarterback got ran down by some big-ass police officer.” I knew then that you were a special person and one that had seen your share of life stories.
When I talk to young people today, it takes a lot for me not to tell them about the “SWAMP.” I remember like it was yesterday, you telling all of us specialist. “Men, the SWAMP is still undefeated. Don’t mess with the SWAMP. You know the SWAMP is what got Bill Clinton in trouble…he fell right in the middle of it!”
As a Tiger, you made college football fun, as a specialist, you made unforgettable. Keep on fighting…I could’t imagine a Tiger practice without you!
I’ll leave you with an all-time Coach A favorite, on Sunday after a win:
“Head’s Head’s…repeat after me…”I’d rather walk through hell with gsoline drawers on…than to fight with the Memphis Tigers!”
October 10, 2008 at 8:25 am
Jason Fogle
Coach A -
As I read through all these comments from guys like Powers, Baze, Marquis, and the Cobb twins it brings back so many wonderful memories of what life was like for all of us in South Hall. What a great experience that you and Mrs. A gave to us. Thank you. There are so many things when I think back that you said to me over my time with you that I could literally spend hours on this. However, the one thing I will share was a talk we had when I was 21 years old about my future and more importantly my decision as to whether to attend medical school. You shared with me your passion for your career and why you made the choices you did. At the time, I listened intently, but I had no idea what a profound impact that day and that talk had on my future and the man I am today. That is simply what you did for so many of us; your guidence, you honesty, your love, and your constant since of a positive direction shaped so many young people over the years.
I personally want to say thank you for making the choice in your life as that choice shaped mine in a way that I will never forget. I count myself as one of the fortunate to have had the honor of having you touch my life the way you did.
God Bless You Coach A -
Jason R. Fogle
Tiger Football 1994-1997
October 10, 2008 at 11:32 am
Michael Posey
Coach A,
Man where do I start with the great stories and memories that have been shared at the University. I ll never for got all of these talks we had on the golf cart before all of our practices. The best thing about our talks were that you would always put me in charge of someone or something. The worst thing I ever did at Memphis was one day during my Junior year. I was putting up the jugs machine and I dropped it and it broke. I thought I was going to be fired and have to pay for it as well.
I’ll never for the trial we had for Sweeney because of the Golf Cart left in the Hall of Fame Area. Or the time I was on trail for running over another manager foot in the golf cart on accident.
Things I got from Coach A
1. Don’t let the Swamp get you
2. Elevate your Mind
Thanks Coach A for everything you have done for me over the years I was there. You are such a incredible person and I really look up to you and I hope one day I can be just like you and help young people out.
Michael Posey
Football Manager 2000-2007
October 10, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Joe Rocconi
Coach A, Mrs A, Brence, and Sterritt and family.
Coach A, and family are in my prayers. You are one of the toughest men I know, and I know you will handle this battle. I have a thousand of stories to tell, but will choose a few.
First of all, you are a main reason for me coming to Memphis to play football. When I met you I loved your intensity, attention to detail, straight to the point way of talking, and loved how you loved football.
You were and still are one of the best coaches I’ve had.
Like many have said, how can you think of Tiger Football, and not think of Coach A. You are truly a legend.
You also had an effective and unique way of motivating me and others. I would honestly run through a wall for you, if you told me to. You are the BEST. and we love you.
You showed me how important special teams were, and the job of “snapping” . You opened my eyes to this and helped me get on the field to play and eventually a scholarship. I owe so much to you, Coach A.
I miss the days of you waking us up at South Hall, blowing your whistle and opening our doors bright and early yelling at us to wake up. Those were awesome days.
Some of your sayings that have always stuck with me…”Leave nothing to chance” and “Live to play another down”. These are things that stayed with me, things that apply to life also. I’m a coach now, and I find myself quoting you all of the time. You touch so many more people’s lives than you can imagine.
I mentioned your personality. you are definitely one of the funniest men I know. I remember “Get the snap up Rocconi”. or when you rode Jimmy Keith one day, about eating Ding Dongs or Twinkies, or cupcakes and not being able to kick anymore. something to that manner. That is also one of Brence’s favorites!!!
Spring morning workouts – you’d say at 5 am “Alright men, pull up your socks and grab your _ _ _ _ _, and let’s go for a run” maybe the saying was the other way for some of the players.
And one of my personal favorites. Freshmen anniciation night in 1995. you all know what I’m talking about…running naked across campus. This was one of my best nights…felt free. anyway, after running from the cops, back to South Hall, some of us went up to our 3rd floor and in my room and sweetmates’s room. There I went into the joining bathroom to release my nervous stomach from the night’s events.
then all of a sudden, Coach A busted in the room to find 4 or 5 naked players sitting there talking about the night running.
All I could here from the bathroom stall, was Coach A saying, “Alright you, you, you, and you…….now where the hell is Rocconi” “I know he is a part of this, cause he’s the only butt naked guy running in a knee brace!!!”
I could hear him breathing loudly outside the stall door as I pulled my feet up in the air hiding on the toilet. he went back and forth looking for me but never found me.
Still, to this day, I believe he knew I was in there, and just decided to scare the ______ out of me……literally.
It worked.
Coach A, you and your family were like a family to me. Thanks for always being there. Let me know if you or your family needs anything at all.
You are in my prayers.
Thanks again for everything.
GOD BLESS YOU AND WE LOVE YOU
Joe Rocconi
Tiger Football 1995-1999
October 11, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Jerry Todd
Coach Armstrong (Murray-the-K)
Coach Armstrong was my freshman coach in 1965 and I doubt that I would have made it through that year without him, his guidance, and his advice. He is a one of a kind individual and has been the anchor of the ship at Memphis for many, many years. As coaches came and went, he was there to provide the stability of the football program.
Most people doesn’t realize that our 1965 freshman team were national champs. So what if we were deemed national champs by Coach A or so what if the championship trophy that sat proudly on his desk was made of cardboard and tape…hey, if Coach A proclaimed us national champs, than we were national champs.
Coach A was the master of all times in giving nicknames to most all the players. The one nickname that has always struck with me was of Joe Crocetti, a defensive linebacker/monster man from Ohio. We had a defensive blitz for the monster man that was called “Lightning.” In our first game of the season, the blitz was called from the sidelines. In the excitement of the game, Joe got a little confused and started calling out “Thunder, Thunder!!!” …so came the nickname “Double Thunder and Lightning, No Tackle Joe Crocetti”….and the list goes on and on.
My thoughts and prayers are with Coach A as he fights this battle and with the entire Armstrong family. Thanks Coach for being a part of my life.
Jerry Todd
1965-1970
October 12, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Rodney Mason Sr.
Coach,
AS with each of the entries logged, it’s difficult to find a starting point for a man with such a GRAND IMPACT, with so little hoopla (The M Club Award was much needed and appreciated) The thing I respect most about coach A is and was his ability to stay humble. He did whatever was asked of him with great pride and excellence, I think that characteristic we have all carried with us. AS well, his example of a man, husband, and a father is one to be modeled as well. Many of the former athletes stated many of things you said and stories you told but I will always remember “YOUR EXAMPLE”.
Thank You
Rodney F. Mason Sr.
1991-1996
October 12, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Joe Allison
Coach A,
Oh the stories we all have. I believe there is something that comes up for me almost everyday where it triggers a memory from my days in Memphis. I’m not sure if even the internet has enough space for all of our stories. My family and I are thankful for the guidance that you helped provide to me. The wisdom spoken from you on a day to day basis helped us all to keep our sanity during the “COLLEGETIME” years. When the days of the real South Hall dissappeared players lost a real treat. To have a family like yours basically take all of us and make us part of you was priceless. I thank you and Mrs. A for being the people you are. As you said many times to be good you have to surround yourself with good people….or something like that. Now I know we were all not good all the time, but you were a huge part of my success. I’m sure many more people could say the same. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for all you’ve done!
Joe Allison
1989-1993
October 13, 2008 at 9:50 am
Louie Grashot
How can anyone think of Tiger football without thinking of that booming voice that belongs to Coach Armstrong. Though I never played football, I have many memories of Coach A advising me to exit South Hall after a night out with Bobby Russell and/or Al Harvey. I won’t use his exact words, but I’m sure that those who know can imagine Coach A’s desire for me to remove myself from the dorm immediately.
Murray Armstrong is a legend in Memphis football and I know the Tiger Nation joins me in thanking you for all those years of devotion and loyalty to our program
Coach, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Louie Grashot
Class of ’73
October 13, 2008 at 11:59 am
Liz Orth Jacobs
I was fortunate enough to work with Coach Armstrong and the rest of the coaching staff under Ray Dempsey. I was a student worker that came in after my morning classes. I can still see Coach Armstrong in my mind’s eye in that first office to the right as you entered the old football office on the second floor. He always had a colorful comment or remark to me- always a gentleman, funny and bigger than life. I looked forward to seeing him because he always made me laugh. I remember, he would say…”now Liz, why would you settle for a Cadillac when you can have a Rolls Royce???”
In other words, aim high and reach for the stars.
My husband Jim and I want you and your family to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you, Coach A.
Liz Orth Jacobs
Class of ’88
October 14, 2008 at 10:50 am
Andy McWilliams
How fortunate I was to get to spend 5 years with Coach Armstrong. With Coach A being my position coach, I got to deal with him everyday. A few phrases I will always remember and also use as a coach:
“Repetition is the key to comprehension”
“We are rehearsing for the game, an actor does not go on stage without rehearsing his/her lines”
“not everyone dates the good looking women, someone has to date the big, fat, ugly ones, but it still counts as a date” – after a bad kick and you get a good bounce.
Everyone has their own wake up stories: college time, college time, but I was so fortunate actually spend everyday in practice with him. He took care of his specialist. I can remember sitting under the trees next to the track during fall practice watching Joe Lee kill his defense with “packer” days and the “county fair. He took care of us, but you had better perform when you where on “stage”, or you would face his wrath. The years I played we were average, but we always had great special teams and one of the main reasons was Coach Armstrong. It was a great being a part of the best fg team in the nation in 92, better known as the “The big ass team and Toby”. There is so much to write and everyone has many stories to tell.
Coach, you and your family are in our prayers. I know that you will fight and be strong because that is exactly what you have taught so many of us to do. Not only on the football field but also in life. Thank you for everything and I forever grateful for the influence you had on my life. Coach, this forum is a tribute to you for all of the lives you influenced.
Andy McWilliams
1989-1993
October 14, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Geddes Self, III
“College time, college time !!! Get you #2 pencil and crayons and get to college ! ” We all knew that we better get moving when we heard those words from Coach Armstrong as he came down the hall checking every room to make sure we were getting ready to go to class.
All of those who lived in the athletic dorm, heard these words (plus a few others) every day. I can remember those days so easliy, like it was yesterday. What a way to start the day.
Being a freshman football player in 1980 wasn’t easy. I guess it’s not easy today either, but back then most freshmen had to be on the “scout team”. This meant we got our heads knocked off every day by the 1st team defense. I played O-line and Coach Armstrong was in charge of “scout team offense”. How did you do it, Coach? Somehow, you made it fun for us. You cracked jokes and “called out” whoever missed an assignment. We all knew that “you called it like you saw it” and never backed down from scolding anyone regardless of position or rank. It made no difference if you were 1st team or 3rd team. We all saw that you treated everyone the same and we respected you for it. This laughter that you created helped us forget the pain of practice, day in and day out.
Anyway…Coach, thanks for all of your sacrifice of time & effort for us, both on and off the field. You did a great job!!! I had (3) head coaches (Williamson, Dockery, & Dempsey) during my time there, but you were the constant force. I suspect that some folks around the university don’t realize the great contributions that you have made, but believe me your players know !
Please know that I am praying for you and your family during this time-
Geddes Self, III
1980-85
October 16, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Ralph Hubbell
Dear Coach Armstrom, Joan, and family,
As I mentioned in my e-mail I have been praying for all of you for many years. Coach, you have been a great influence on my life. I first came to MSU in 1965 when one of Coach Murphy’s relatives recommended me to get a scholarship. I was from California and initially on your 1965 freshman team. I was doing well until I got very homesick for my family back in California and decided to leave. Fortunately you and Coach Murphy liked me and told me to call back if I wanted to come back. Well, I knew as soon as I arrived in California I had made a huge mistake. It took me until January of 1966 to get enough courage to call Coach Murphy and ask him if I could rejoin the team. Coach Murphy let me come back and when I got there you were the one to welcome me and let me try again to be a part of MSU football. I remember our walk to Robinson Hall where you gave me encouagement and hope. It was a defining part of my life. You were very sensitive to my feelings and helped me be a part of MSU football. If you remember the pre-Spring practice of 1966 was a real challenge. Larry Wright put us through some of the most challenging drills I have ever been through. The regular spring practice was a breeze considering what we went through in the pre-spring.
I was then put on your 1966 freshman team. We had some great players on that team and you appointed me co-captain along with Leonard Texiera. We beat Southern Illinois and Houston. We lost to Southern Mississipi only because we had three reverse play touchdowns called backed due to some “home cooking” clipping calls. We were the team where you broke the coke bottle at half time playing LSU. It definately got our attention and scared the h___ out of all of us. I don’t think any of us forgot that game and were the better for it.
Coach, you were a tough coach but it was quite obvious you cared. I remember when I was a freshman and you were trying to make a point about missed blocks. You were pretty upset and proceeded to make an example out of someone which happened to be me and you had the entire freshman team tackle me. Afterwards you came up to me and said, “Hubbell, I had to make an example out of someone and I picked you you because I knew you could take it.” That was a huge complement and I have always have remembered it.
You challended me my entire time at MSU and I learned to adjust to your challenges and it made me a better person. I was determined to be successful and even though I wasn’t a starter I was a successful second string varsity player for three years eventually making an honorable mention in my Junior and Senior years on the All Missouri Valley Teams. I think I learned a great deal about being a tough team player through you and vowed to never quit again no matter what. Through out my entire life I have remembered your strength and compassion. I want to thank you for challenging me to be a better performer and person.
I also want to thank your wonderful wife Joan. She impressed me from the first time I met her as a loving and compassionate person. I want to recount to your family an act of great kindness that Joan did for me. We were in spring practice in 1968. Martin Luther King had just been assinated and MSU decided to start spring break early to get everyone away from the school with so many issues going on. I was in Doc Smith’s apartment with many others trying to sort things out. I was trying to get back to California to see my family and recently engaged girlfriend who was later to become my wife. I was able to get the airline ticket to leave the next morning. Joan heard what was going on and she volunterred to take me to the airport knowing that Taxi’s were refusing to drive to the airport due to the tense situation. Joan was courageous in taking me to the airport without fear of the situation. I was so greatful to her and it meant a great deal to me to surprise my fiance and be with my family. Those are the types of stories that have surrounded Murray and Joan for so many years. Giving to so many for the sake of MSU athletics.
In closing I can say that the Armstrong family have given so much of their lives to MSU football and all the young men that have taken the challenge to be a part of a very special program. My prayers will continue to be said everyday for Murry, Joan, and family. My love to all of you.
Sincerely,
Ralph Hubbell
MSU Football 1965-1970
October 20, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Stan Weaver
Part of the fun of playing college football was living in the athletic dorm. Players today don’t know what they are missing. I can’t imagine going through all that again and not living with your “family”. And speaking of family, I can’t imagine raising one in a small apartment connected to three floors of hell raisers, but that’s exactly what the Armstrong’s did. And they did it well. I wish just one morning coach Armstrong could wake up my son for college. He’s fortunate enough to be a walk-on punter this year at Memphis, but unfortunately will not have the “best kicking coach” in America. As all former kickers/punters know, it’s mostly a mental game and nobody was better at preparing you mentally than Coach Armstrong. With classics like “just kick the damn ball”. Or, “all you gotta do is catch it and kick it”. As dull as it was sometimes during practice, coach A always made it very interesting.
Like everyone else, I’ve got a thousand stories, some of which can’t be told. The best one may be the time Jeff White was throwing darts on the back of his dorm room door. I believe this practice had already been deemed off limits by coach A, but it continued this night. As coach A was banging on the door, the darts were put up and Jeff denied he had been throwing them. A few minutes after coach left, the dart throwing continued. Suddenly the door opened and coach A picked up a 32 ounce glass bottle of coke and hurled it across the room at Jeff, smashing just above his head. The dart throwing was over and coach A apologized to the team the next day for “being a dumb ass”. I can still see the look on Jeff White’s face.
There was also the time I had a little trouble with the snaps during a game with Louisville and the next couple of weeks I got to be the scout team quarterback. The first day in pads against the first team defense, Stanley Adams, who played DE in the NFL for several years, hit me so hard that I had to pull my mouth piece out of my throat. I told coach that I couldn’t go the next play because I couldn’t see and that I swallowed my mouth piece. He told me “Weaver, we’ll get you another mouth piece, now get in there and throw the damn ball”.
Coach A also made a big impression with my mother when I called her my first night at South Hall my freshman year and told her my roommate had a pet snake. I didn’t like snakes, but she hated them so bad she tore the snake pictures out of the encyclopedia so she didn’t accidently see them when looking at the “S” book. She called coach Armstrong and the snake was gone the next day and she was a fan for life.
Coach Armstrong, you were an inspiration to thousands of young men during the most important times of their lives. I am forever grateful to have had the privilege of playing for you, “living” with you and getting to know your family. You were fortunate to have been able to do what you loved to do for many years, yet all the players who came through Memphis during your time there were even more fortunate.
God bless you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Stan Weaver
Football 1980-83
October 22, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Steve King
It was a tradition at MSU that each coach took a week and reviewed the opposing team and would try to find things to motivate us during the week to get us ready on game day. Coach Armstrong always seemed to get a little more excited than most of the other coaches when it was his week. I want to say we were going up against a weaker team and if my memory is correct it was the Wichita State game in 1976. Not wanting any of us to get over confident Coach Armstrong took the approach that week that we had to get on them quick and end the game early.
I had the opportunity to play under Coach Armstrong at one of the defensive end positions in our 52 defense. The advantage I had that year was I was surrounded by players which later would turn pro. Keith Butler at linebacker, Erie Jones at Tackle, Marty Hammock at Strong Safety and Eric Harris and Keith Simpson at the Corners. Of course I can’t leave out Jimbo Mincey at Free Safety(did not go pro but was too smart to get beat deep). I could have messed up all night and still these guys would have made up for me.
All week long, Coach Armstrong would tell us in our defensive end drills and films, ” Men … you have to “DAMAGE EM” if we are going to win. Well, I took that to heart. Ate, drank and slept “DAMAGE EM”. As game day got closer, I continue to prepare myself to come out early and “DAMAGE” my opponent. On game day we ate our pregame meal, watched more film as Coach Armstrong continue to repeat we had to “DAMAGE EM”.
There was no doubt in my mind what we had to do as we got on the buses to go to the stadium. Everyone went about their business as we entered the locker room getting taped, last minutes encouragement, putting on the pads and then Coach Armstrong stepped into the middle of the room.
In that deep voice he began to talk about our opponent. Building on every word he went over each of their players weaknesses and strengths. Then he began to challenge each one of us in our responsibility that day. Excitement was building, and it was at that time that Coach Armstrong called on us. At the top of his voice he screamed “What do we have to do to win this game?” At that time I knew he was calling for a response, he prepared us all week. I leaped up out of my locker and screamed back at him “DAMAGE EM”. You would think everyone would have been estatic. As I looked around the locker room I expected to see my teammates in a frenzy because I knew all of them would have know what he wanted us to say and my words would have blended in unison with theirs.
To my dismay, I was the only one standing on my feet. In fact, you could have heard a pin drop because everyone else in the locker room was silent. I was the only one on my feet as my scream still echoed in the room. It was at that point that I could see Coach Armstrong who also was a little surprised at my outburst. But he did something that will always be with me for the rest of my days. He leaned forward, gave his memorable growl and said, “Errgh… that’s right!” and pointed his finger at me. He went on as if nothing had happened.
As I sank back into my locker in embarrassment, I knew I had just pinned a nickname on myself that would stick for a while. To this day I still get the jabs from Bob W. or Marty and Jimbo about “DAMAGE EM King”. What I will always remember though, is how Coach Armstrong saved me with his quick response.
I carried that badge of honor with me for a while after that but what is still etched in my mind is that smile from Coach Armstrong that I will know he knew what I was screaming about. In his own way he may planned for that to happen. By the way, we won that game 31 -0. We did “DAMAGE EM”
To Coach Armstrong who always inspired me to be my best.
Steve King 1973-1976
October 26, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Tim Long
I just finished reading all the messages above and basically relived some of the best times of my life. Coach, Mrs A, & boys, thank you for all you have given to the University and to so many people. As you can see, you are all loved very much by the TigerNation! When I look back and talk about my time at Memphis State, it ALWAYS comes back to living in that dorm. Its truely amazing how many lives you have touched and I pray that you have a peace that only God can give at this time. Be strong coach, I love you and hope we can team up again once we both reach Heaven.
P.S. Our team wins!
Big Nasty #50
Football 1981-84
October 28, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Sherry Weaver Goad
Just want you to know your former players aren’t the only “fans” you have. Do you remember in the early 1980′s the parent who made a frantic “mommy” phone call to you that there was an (uncaged) Boa Constrictor SNAKE in her son’s room? My snake phobia and not being able to sleep the night before outweighed my concerns that he would be teased, tormented, & embarrassed about his Mom calling you.
You promised me you wouldn’t tell anybody AND that you would personally take care of the Snake. If I remember correctly you said, “I will go up there and machette the SOB to pieces.” All I know for sure is that it disappeared and you became my Hero.
Seriously, the reason I admired you then and all these many years is NOT about the snake saga. It’s because you really cared about these young men being away from home for the first time & the difference you made in their lives. Both you & Joan made a lasting contribution in more ways to more people than you will ever know. Just reading all the e-mails to you brought back wonderful memories of the good ole days.
It makes me so sad that athletes today don’t have a Coach Armstrong to be their Mentor & that parents can now only wish for somebody like you to be in their kids lives. By the way, my son is Stan Weaver, who punted for Memphis 1980-1983.
Sherry Weaver Goad
November 6, 2008 at 10:48 am
Buddy Carter
I got a nice laugh out of the “College Time” reference. “College Time, College Time, get your butt outta bed “Cotta”. We loved doing imitations of him. Some had the status (like Rick Snider) to do them to his face, and he always got a kick out of it.
Coach Armstrong kept a large number of freshman football players from going home over the years.
Murray might not have been your parent, but he was at least their first assistant, or actually more like an Uncle that you had great respect for.
No horror movie can strike fear in your soul like those keys jangling in your door after a disturbance.
We didn’t really consider the Athletic Dorm our dorm. It seemed more like it belonged to Coach Armstrong. He lived in an apartment, on the ground floor with his family. I don’t know, but the dorm always seemed like his house and we were all temporary guests.
And by the way, as big and bad as everyone in that dorm was, every one immediately stopped any improper night time (rotten food fight) behavior when they heard one phrase…. “Dorm Daddy’s coming.”
Buddy Carter 79-80
November 6, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Pam Dowty
Dear Coach Armstong and Family,
I don’t know if you remember me, but I dated Butch Dowty in college and we have been married for 24 years. When I heard of your illness I had to let you know what an impact you had on Butch’s life as well as every young man you came in contact with. These boys, and I do mean boys, at the time they come to college needed someone to guide them into manhood and that person was you. Thank God that you were around and it is sad that athletes these days do not have the benefit of that guidance. I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have heard Butch tell someone about living in the dorm and one of your many somewhat colorful words of wisdom. I just want to thank you for your major roll in shaping the man he is today and know that my thoughts and prayers go with you.
Pam Dowty
November 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm
wallace butch dowty
if a person ever needed a second mom and dad the armstrongs would always be consider that. In the world we live in today you could use several murray armstrongs . murray taught me how to think and how to work. he also taught me respect other people. our leaders are dying out in this country but murray is stiil around and he always wiil be around in my eyes and my heart.
November 6, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Danton Barto
Coach Armstrong,
I don’t know where to start. I know I was probably the biggest pain in the ass that you ever had to deal with. I wanted to thank you for everything you and your wonderful wife did for me. I wanted to share with everybody some of the great stories I had in South Hall. Before I did that I wanted to let people know that there are not two better human beings in the world. Alot of people don’t know what you meant to alot of young men. When I was young and confused boy, you were always there to help me. When I missed a meal or didn’t have money to buy one, you or your wife would open up the mess hall to let me get something to eat. When I didn’t have money to buy clothes, Mrs. Armstrong would sew a button or patch up what I had. I want to thank you and your wife for everything.
Now I want to share some stories with you.
I remember when our mirror broke in the room you asked what in the hell happened. I told you that it just honestly fell and we were lucky it didn’t kill us. I remember you telling me that is not what happened. You said that I was drunk turned around and said who is that ugly SOB and punched it.
I also will never forget when we were going through at tough spell during one of the season and you got up talk to the team. You put on the blackboard a small circle and a big circle. You then went on to explain that the small circle was a normal cell and the big circle was a cell of a person that has been drinking. You then went on to tell us that we had the double thirst and that to many of us were drinking way to much.
I also remember when I missed way to many days of school as a freshman and you came to my room. You told me that I had 5 minutes to get dressed. You then preceded to take my wrist and walk me to class.
I remember we were playing the University of Mississippi Southern and I was finally starting and I was on the bench just getting some water after we stopped them. I was sitting there going why is the stadium so quiet. Then it hit me, oh shit we are punting the ball and I am on the punting team. I came back to the sideline waiting to be yelled at. I will never forget you didn’t say a word but just a look.
I wanted to also share a funny story about Mrs. Armstrong. I remember the time when Joel P. threw something at the person who was watching the cameras at South Hall. I remember Mrs. Armstrong knocking on his door. When Joel P. opened his door Mrs.Armstrong gave him a cussing like I have never seen. It was so funny to see this nice lady actually lose her cool for once. It was the first and only time I ever heard her cuss.
Last but not least Coach I always get a laugh when I think about you coming in my room and calling me Miss Barto. You would ask Andy McWilliams and I if we had a lover’s spat.
Great Coach Armstrong Sayings:
Light Beer is for p******
Get your coloring books and crayons it is college time
You have 1 down to be perfect
That is CIX men
I could go on for pages. I just wanted to let you know that I have been blessed to meet you and your wife. You saved a young boy that could have easily become a statistic. I hope and pray my son meets a person like you in his life time. I wish that more men where left in coaching and in the world like you. If I had one wish is that we could have played together. You are what I tell my son is a man’s man. I truly know that you will whip this! My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Danton Barto
Football 89-93
November 6, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Arthur Franklin, M.D.
Wow! How can so many people feel so strongly about the same man?
Coach made us all feel special in the same kind of way. He was always firm with us, but somehow we all knew he really cared about us, taking pride in watching us mature. Just like a dad, he was hard on us, but only because he wanted us to succeed.
My favorite quote that I haven’t seen mentioned yet was said to me after an 8 yard shank at Florida State in 1985. I ran off the field towards him, fearing for my life, and he firmly put his arm around me and said:
“Success—-is how high you bounce off the bottom. You’re on the bottom.”
To Joan, Sterritt, and Brence – thanks for sharing Murray and your lives with us.
To Coach – I love you and thank you for being such a tremendous positive influence in my life.
Arthur Franklin
Football 1985 and 1986
November 6, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Jason Kennedy
I wasn’t there when Kevin Weaver (above) was ‘smart’ enough to use a golf club on Coach A’s grass, but he was still hearing about it by the time I got there in 2002. He was always a class act, and it was refreshing to hear him yelling at someone from across the practice fields. Unless it was me he was yelling at.
Coach A was always on patrol in his golf cart around the practice fields each day before practice making sure everything looked nice. One day another equipment manager and I decided to take our golf cart out for a ‘joyride’. This included driving up this steep slope of sand near the putting greens. We thought we were daredevils – trying to fly off the top of this mound like we were the Duke boys.
Well, we got stuck at the top of the hill. Cart wouldn’t go anywhere. I got out, picked up the front of the cart and gave it a push so that it would roll back to the bottom of the hill. The other manager said, ‘jump down and let’s go before Coach A sees us.’ When I jumped down, my right foot landed in a hole and twisted so bad I thought my foot had broken completely off the end of my leg.
I laid there in shock for a few seconds, cursing anything and everything. Until we saw Coach A round the corner in his cart. I managed to jump in the cart, and hold a straight face as he asked me and the other manager if we had everything set up for practice. I can honestly say I’ve never felt pain like that in my life, and my ankle was the size of a football, but the last thing I wanted him to know was that we were playing Dukes of Hazzard on his field.
Six years later, and my ankle still hurts in the morning when I wake up, but it reminds me of days spent out on the practice fields. And that always brings a smile to my face. As it should anyone who had the fortune to spend their autumn on Coach A’s grass.
He commanded respect, and it was endearing. I notice that the Swamp has already been mentioned, and I try my damndest to stay out of it. Because the Swamp is undefeated!
They should put that trash picker of his in bronze and put it right in the middle of all the other trophies. I hope he can see one more Tiger game, everyone in the Liberty Bowl will be better for it.
Jason Kennedy
Football Equipment Manager – 2002-2004
November 6, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Rick Sparkman
I must wholeheartedly agree with others above that college athletes today are missing out on the college experience with the loss of the athletic dorm. My fondest memories of the college experience seem to be centered around the stories forever linked to that place called South Hall. From the morning wake up routine to Catfish Charlie stragetically placed in AC vents during friendly feuds to freshmen initiations to thousands of other college time antics. If only that place could talk … Coach, I really don’t know how you did it but I am convinced there was nothing that went on in that dorm you did not know about. You just chose to ignore some.
I recently drove by South Hall with my 14 year old son and it seemed like only yesterday I was there. However it had been 26 quick years since my Freshman year. My mind was quickly flooded with memories, some I could share and some that I thought might be more appropriate when he gets a little older.
Athletic competition is the best preparation for life. However you expaned it even further. The daily intergration of your dedication, wit, intelligence and wisdom with the college athletic experience taught me how to be the best you can be, perservere, accept responsibility, accept criticism, don’t make excuses, and be accountable to yourself and others. Your investment has not returned void. I am a better husband, father, and person as a result of your living example. Your impact on my life can be repeated a thousand times by my teammates, those which came before me and those who came after.
Thank you for loving us and giving yourself to us.
November 7, 2008 at 1:15 am
Terri Weaver
I worked at South Hall from 1987-1991 so I got to witness first hand a lot of the stories from that time period. Damon talked about how Coach A always knew the names of every athlete that lived in South Hall and all their parents. It took me a long time to figure it out. Just like he expected his players to “rehearse” for their time on the field, he constantly rehearsed things he wanted to remember. In other words, he walked around talking to himself.
Many times I’d be sitting at the camera desk and out of the corner of my eye I’d catch Coach A pacing a circle around that glass “court yard” in the middle of the South Hall Lobby area. He’d be talking a blue streak to himself, rehearsing the names and faces, making sure the mental connections he wanted were there. The educational theorists call it multi-sensory learning…Coach A had it figured out LONG before someone gave it a fancy scientific sounding name.
Another habit of his that has always tickled me is his penchant for giving out nicknames…the only problem is that now I sometimes have a hard time trying to remember certain people by their ACTUAL names. Boaz, Buckethead, Five-0, Bumble, Peanut, Outhouse…I love the fact that he never calls me by my name…to him I’m always “T”, yeah its not as cool as some of the others but it works for me…and Lord knows it could have been worse!
As I said on the other page Coach…your family was my family for the years I worked at South Hall. I couldn’t have asked for a better second family. Praying for you all…and smiling and laughing out loud at the stories here. You’re one of a kind.
Love you!
T
November 7, 2008 at 7:22 am
Dawn Robinson
I met Coach Armstrong when my boyfriend was moving out of South Hall in 1995. I had heard all the stories and was terrified of Coach Armstrong. Then I met this kind man and his sweet wife.
Now that boyfriend is my husband. He is back at the U of M as the Track Coach. Through the years, almost every time I’ve been at the track I’ve seen Coach Armstrong there working. He always waved and smiled.
I was still a little scared that he might find out about the times I had snuck into South Hall! We never talked much except during my pregnancies and then he would always stop to ask how the baby and I were doing. He would want to know if we were having a boy or a girl. He would talk about his wife and boys and his face would light up. He even made a vehicle move once so that I could have a closer parking space!
I never dreamed I would get to know him better because I was pregnant. I’m glad I got to know him and I’m glad he was there for Kevin as an athlete and a coach.
November 7, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Jeff Powers
I just found out about Coach. I am truly sorry for the pain and suffering you and your family have endured in your battle with this illness.
I have only the fondest memories of Coach Armstrong. I was a walk-on punter who later moved to wide receiver. As someone said in a previous post. Coach Armstrong treated the walk-ons and scholarship athletes alike. The interesting thing is that I did not play football in high school but played in the military. I can remember Coach being patient with me yet stern. At times I thought he was trying to see if I would quit when the going got tough, but it was his way, I think, of pushing me far enough to make me better. He would ignore me at times or call my name wrong. Looking back on it I know he was seeing if I had what it took to be a football player. He knew how to mold young men. I only played one down of football as a receiver in a game, but my time on the team was one of the greatest things in my life. And, it is in large measure due to Coach Armstrong’s influence. One of my favorite sayings that I still use today is “intestinal fortitude”. We alll need more of that to get through life.
Coach ran the scout team while I was there. I knew that my chances of playing in a game were slim, but I wanted to make Coach proud of the job I did on the practice field. I played hurt, sick, and bruised many times not to let him down. There are two moments that I think of from time to time that remain for me defining moments of my time on the team and stand as my greatest accomplishments, the approval of Coach Murray Armstrong. The first, I had been hurt for a couple of weeks from a twisted ankle and as my rehab was coming to a close Coach approached me one day and asked if I was ready to come back. I replied yes, to which he said, “good, we need you”. In that moment I had gone from being this walk-on to someone that Coach Armstrong respected. Wow!! Other Coaches respected players for their ability but Coach respected them for their character and heart. The second story comes to mind often when I think about how the little things in life mean the world to someone else. It was spring and I was about to graduate. I had one more year of eligibilty but decided to enter grad school. Coach saw me on campus and approached me and asked me if I would reconsider. He said that he thought I had the heart and determination to play the next year. He proceeded to give me one of his inspirational speeches and told the story of another walk-on who later became a pro and ended up in the SuperBowl. Whether I would have played or not is beside the point. I knew I had truly earned his respect as a football player. I don’t think any amount of game time could have replaced the feeling I had in that moment.
I live half-a-world away now in a village in Africa as a missionary. The lessons I learned from Coach about hard work and “intestinal fortitude” find there usefulness even here. The example of giving your life so that others can succeed still remains with me. There have been many times I have longed for home and familar things, like the smell of a fresh cut football field on a fall morning. I cannot experience those things now, but I have in my heart and mind, even the very fabric of my life the teaching, influences, sayings, and example of a great man who, although stood head and shoulders above most of us, knew how to bend down in order to build up. You will soon leave us Coach but your memory and legacy will not be gone or forgotten. For you reside in the hearts and minds of thousands of young men you have touched and molded into men. The investments you have made into countless lives will be deposited into countless more. If this is the measure of wealth you truly are a rich man.
May the God of all grace give you peace and strength (intestinal fortitude) as you face this final struggle. And just know even during this battle for life you are still teaching us how to live.
Jeff Powers
Football 85-88
November 7, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Eleanor Gipson
Ah, Coach Armstrong, what a gift you are. I would certainly never have “gotten into” high jumping at the advanced age of 50, had you not, on that fateful day in September, 2002, seen me looking through the fence at the pits, and invited me to “come one over here.” Trustingly, I climbed onto the golf cart with you and was whisked into the U of M track, and into the world of old-people’s track and field, where I remain.
And then, there was the episode of the dog who was tied up for weeks under the grandstands, causing great anguish for the Sunday afternoon track participants. We thought he was being abused–he was so thin, and he wouldn’t eat. Finally, we banded together and I came to you one Monday morning, teeth gritting, to say that one of us would adopt him to get him out of this miserable existence. You looked at me and said, “Well, that may just work out fine!” and pulled out a bottle of shampoo and a brush and new collar. Turned out the dog had barely survived a heartworm treatment and had been abandoned, but you and the grounds crew had adopted him until he was well enough to go to a permanent home. The vet had said the dog couldn’t walk around much, so that was why he was chained. And he wouldn’t eat because you guys had been feeding him your lunches for 3 weeks. But the day I came to “confront” you was the day the vet said he could be adopted out, and you were ready to clean him up and put him on display. (The dog, btw, is happily living with Mike and Debbie Walker, sleeping on the bed and living the life of Riley). But, this pup would not have made it if you had not taken him in. And, I should have known that was the case, but now I do. Thanks, Coach Armstrong–also thanks” from your 4-legged fans, too.
Don’t even get me started about the new-born kittens we found that day……
Best Regards and thanks,
Eleanor Gipson
November 8, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Nancy Carlile
Well Coach, I have scrolled down through all these marvelous tributes to you with tears streaming down my cheeks and a lump in my throat – what wonderful, articulate, heartfelt, well deserved messages of love and support.
The confidence that I had in you as the go to guy in the whole Athletic Department made my job in Athletic Academic Counseling so much easier and more enjoyable. At times we both found ouselves in difficult situations but I always knew I had your support,
It was a joy to know you and your family and I admire the ability you all, Murray, Joan, Sterritt and Brence, had to flourish in that gold fish bowl that was the Athletic Dorm.
And speaking of fish and your great tolerance, I remember when I put up an aquarium in my office in the Field House and soon there were tanks of fish all over the Athletic Dorm. I recall Tim Borcky had one and even Brence had a tank or two.
And you and Joan took it all in stride.
Maybe one of the greatest lessons I learned from you Coach was one from your example. I recall you pacing down the sidewalks talking to yourself – gesturing, banging on your clipboard, gathering your thoughts, and working out the details. That’s what I am doing now, writing this all out with my #2 pencil before I commit it to the computer for your perusal. I want to get it just right.
And now please, all of you, consider yourselves well hugged and kissed by me and know that you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Nancy Carlile
November 9, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Faith Pawlik
Coach Armstrong, my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting you during our almost daily walks at the South Campus Athletic Complex with our Black and Tan Coonhounds. The first time we met we thought for sure you were going to tell us we couldn’t walk our dogs around the campus anymore; much to our surprise you wanted to meet us, share dogs stories and we kept current with the latest changes on the campus. Of course one of our Coonhounds barked every time he saw you on the golf cart; until one day he finally understood you were our friend.
We appreciated your kindness and friendship. Thank you for making our walks memorable. You are in our daily thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Kind regards,
Faith and Jim Messineo & the Coonhounds (Elroy, Rudy & Marvin)
November 10, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Heather Shepard Hyden
Coach A. I don’t know where to begin. During those days on the football field when it was freezing outside where you would pull up to me and ask what I needed to make myself warmer and get me an extra jacket or where you could tell I was having a bad day due to whatever reason and you would say get in you golf cart and drive around and tell me a joke or what to do to make it better. You just had a way with people and always had a great attitude towards everyone unless there were messing up your fields!
I was a Trainer from ’03-’07 and there wasn’t a day that I wouldn’t see you on the practice field until one of my last years there. You were gone and finally returned after a could of weeks to break the news to me about your condition. I was filing up water and pulled up beside me in your “trusty” golf cart and said get in, so I did. I asked where you had been and you told me you had been receiving treatment. It brought tears to my eyes but you said you were alright and would be here forever. Thats what I think about when I come back to Memphis. When ever I think of the U of M I think of, you, Coach A.
I became engaged to Will Hyden my last year of college and Coach A would always ask when the big day was and if he was good to me and If I was happy. For a man that wasn’t my father he sure did treat me like I was his daughter and I appreciated it so much especially during the hard times of college. Well we did get married and had a baby boy recently. I hope that when my son gets old enough to go to college and play football like his father that he has someone just like you to treat him like you did his parents all throughout college.
Thank you for your encouragement, your love towards people and your attitude towards life. The Hyden family sends all there love and prayers to you. Take care!
Heather Shepard Hyden
November 10, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Tim Cook
Coach Armstrong
I remember Coach being a little less abrubt on JD Dickerson and I in the mornings. He would knock, unlock the door, and I quote, ” Cook, Dickerson”. That would be it. Rarely did we get the “College time.”
My favorite story is when I was in my first few days of being a student trainer in football 3 a-days. I was out in the hall sitting on my taping table waiting for somone to tape. Coach Armstong was ranting about something that I couldn’t understand, and he just popped his head up and said, “That’s right, ain’t it Cook?” I just stared at him, and said “Ok, yep”. Didn’t know what else to say.
I wanted to tell Sterit how proud I was to watch Army play on TV and say I know the deep snapper. The boys were a joy to get to watch grow up during my stay at South Hall.
Unfortunately, though I have a couple of others that I could tell, but the people involved wouldn’t appreciate if I did.
Thanks so much for raising us,
Tim Cook, PA-C, ATC
1982-1987
November 11, 2008 at 12:03 am
Keith Shirley
Coach Armstrong,
Let me begin by saying that I have so many fond memories of my college life living at South Hall. I always admired you and Mrs. Joan for being so commited to the University and the Athletic Program, that you would raise two fine sons of your own as well as thousands of other young men through the years right there at South Hall. You didn’t have to wake us up each morning, but you did because you cared for us. You and Mrs. Joan didn’t have to put out sandwiches and snacks each night, but you did because you cared. You were stern but fair at all times.
I can assure you that there were thousands of parents that truly appreciated you as well through the years, because you took care of their sons every single day. One of my favorite quotes was “Men…Leave nothing to chance”. Looking back, I now realize the importance of this and how it has helped me throughout my adult life. I have used this and many other examples as I’ve raised my own children.
I’ll close with a funny memory. Freshman initiation during the bye week after the Ole Miss game. Some of my freshman teammates and I were dropped off in front of Richardson Towers, nude, and told to run back to South Hall. We didn’t make it. Security showed up with Coach Armstrong riding in the passenger seat. He rolled down his window, looked up, and said “Yep, they’re mine, get in men”.
We were his. We were all his. Any athlete that lived in South Hall was his. And We Are All Better For Knowing Him. Thank you Coach Armstrong for all that you’ve given me. I will be praying for you and your family.
Keith Shirley
Football
’84-’88
November 16, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Kevin Betts
Coach Armstrong,
I’ve just read every entry of well wishes and it makes me just sit back in my chair with my mind flooded with great memories…..
“College-Time” of course is at the top of the list, followed with when the earthquake shook us out of the dorm my freshman year, you wringing culprits necks after they’d set off bottle rockets under peoples doors, or laid trash cans filled with water leaned against someones door to splash when they opened it!…….man, the patience you possessed!…..you carried a big stick and yet never laid a hand on anyone!…….National Lampoon couldn’t touch us, yet with your presence just around the corner, we always knew when to stop…
just as so many others have already mentioned, you could be firm, but like a great father, you were always more than fair…
I now often ache with the various occasional pains that stemmed from getting rocked on the football field……you were there many times to help pick me up, after it was YOUR guys (defensive ends) that crushed me in the backfield!…
I’ve often told the story of the time you yelled for me during my senior year in the dorm’s chow line where you said, “Bettsey, I got good news & I got bad news……the good news, is I got the Oakland Raiders on the phone…..the bad news is they don’t want you as a quarterback, but want you as a free saftey, what do you want me to tell’em!?!”……it was my first spring since the 6th grade that I finally didn’t have to do anything and I was tired of getting beat up………somehow Jack Tatem & Lester Hayes made it without me
Coach, there are very few men on the planet that enter in their golden years dignified with the love, respect, and genuine admiration that surronds you now…..stay tough, and know that “the big eye in the sky” knows you’ve done good!….
I love ya & miss ya, and will always remember my life with you…
Kevin Betts
Football
1975-1979
kbetts1@hotmail.com
December 2, 2008 at 12:14 am
John Clifton Class of 1980
Rolling on the River, as a freshman I will always remember the Tiger pride that Uncle Murray instilled in all of us. I will also remember the guidance he provided as we grew into men. I truly have two men in my life that have had such a profoude impact in my life and I can without question say Murray Armstrong was one of them. His caring honesty for you as a student and football player (even the not so good ones) was profound.
Living in South Hall was a home thanks to the Armstrongs. We always felt safe even with the: bottle rocks, stink bombs, fire extingishers under your door. You could always count on the Armstrong’s resolving any issues.
Yes, I remember all the saying and the motivation you as a coach and Mother Armstong used as encouragement, but most of all I remember the honest caring and love you gave to the TIGER family.
It is my hope that all the Tigers of the future will have a Mom and Dad in South Hall that will enrich the lives of the Tigers to come.
With the deepest Respect and Admiration
John Clifton
Football 1976 – 1980
DAMAGE EM
with
Piss and Ginger
December 6, 2008 at 11:17 am
Shayne Jernigan
I did not know Coach Armstrong personally, but here is a quick story about him. One day several years ago it was snowing and sleeting. I was at a store, and when I got back to my car it was covered in ice. I got my ice scaper out and started scraping my windshield. I was dressed in a suit. The wind was blowing and it started snowing and sleeting harder. Suddenly a gentleman appeared and began helping me scrape my windshield. It was Coach Armstrong. He had been waiting in his car in the parking lot for his son. He told me I wasn’t dressed right for the weather and I looked cold so he thought he would help me out. I heard one time that the true definition of character was how a person treated others that could neither do something for them or to them. God bless Coach Armstrong.
February 5, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Tony Semple
Coach A,
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate who you are and the position you held as a teacher to us. It’s not easy teaching men by talking, but one thing all men respect is one who leads by example. You are that individual and I am blessed to have had you look over me while I was in Memphis. The stories that I have read are all to true and make me smile and reflect on those special days. Coach you have changed so many lives that I know you may never realize how many, but I hope reading these letters brings back the same fond memories for you as it has for us all. You are a real legacy that really made a difference. I will pray tonight for you that God would comfort and heal you in this time if it be “HIS” will and also Thank “HIM” for allowing someone so special and impactful as you Coach Armstrong to be in my life and so many others. We need more special people in this world like you Coach A. Thank you for who you are and all you have impacted!
Tony Semple
Memphis Football
1989-2004