This is an article that ran in Murfreesboro Magazine
Frank A Faulkinberry – Middle Tennessee State Teachers College
If you’ve ever attended MTSU or spent any time on the campus, then you will likely recognize the name Faulkinberry. As you drive along Middle Tennessee Boulevard you will see Faulkinberry Drive as one of the main entrances to the MTSU campus. The road appropriately leads past the Floyd Stadium and terminates at Champions Way. So, did you ever wonder who this Faulkinberry person was? If yes, then please keep reading as we shed a little light on who this street was named for.
Frank A Faulkinberry was born on November 27, 1887 in Fayetteville, TN to Christopher Columbus Faulkinberry and Sarah Ellen Caple. Frank attended college at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN from 1907-1910 and was a tackle for the Sewanee Tigers football team. He was also chosen to play on the All-Southern team 3 of the years he played with the Tigers. Frank was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity during his college years. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of the South in 1911.
After college, Faulkinberry worked in various sports positions including the athletic director at Brandon Training School in Shelbyville, TN, and as a catcher in Minor League Baseball.
Frank was hired on at the State Teachers College in 1926 as a Latin teacher, coach of football, and coach for both men’s and women’s basketball. In 1927 he also became head coach for the baseball team. During his early years at the college, he was housed in a first floor dormitory apartment in Jones Hall where he was also the building supervisor.
In the 1930 Midlander school annual, it was written that “The State Teachers College of Murfreesboro enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in basketball, football, and baseball in the history of the school. In football, the blue and white colors were hoisted to the mast of victory on six occasions. In basketball Coach Faulkinberry turned out a team that is claimed to be the greatest in the history of the school, winning seventeen and only losing seven. Our girls succeeded in winning ten of their games and losing only two. Coach Faulkinberry rose to the very heights of his ability in producing the teams that he did in the past year, and we believe he is only beginning his campaign of putting old S.T.C. on the map”. That same year Frank received his Masters of Arts from Peabody College.
The accompanying photo of Frank Faulkinberry appeared in the 1932 Midlander annual and the text below stated that “He is more optimistic about next year’s eleven than he ever has been before. So once more we give him our heartiest applause and pledge our loyalty to a great leader and understanding friend”.
One can only hope he saw those kind words from the students who obviously adored him. Frank A Faulkinberry was found shot to death on May 13th 1933 in the garage of his home. He was only 45 years old. His death was ruled a suicide.
The Street on MTSU’s campus was later named in honor of Faulkinberry and he has been posthumously inducted into both the Blue Raider Athletics and the Sewanee Athletics Halls of Fame.
Frank A Faulkinberry – Middle Tennessee State Teachers College
If you’ve ever attended MTSU or spent any time on the campus, then you will likely recognize the name Faulkinberry. As you drive along Middle Tennessee Boulevard you will see Faulkinberry Drive as one of the main entrances to the MTSU campus. The road appropriately leads past the Floyd Stadium and terminates at Champions Way. So, did you ever wonder who this Faulkinberry person was? If yes, then please keep reading as we shed a little light on who this street was named for.
Frank A Faulkinberry was born on November 27, 1887 in Fayetteville, TN to Christopher Columbus Faulkinberry and Sarah Ellen Caple. Frank attended college at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN from 1907-1910 and was a tackle for the Sewanee Tigers football team. He was also chosen to play on the All-Southern team 3 of the years he played with the Tigers. Frank was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity during his college years. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of the South in 1911.
After college, Faulkinberry worked in various sports positions including the athletic director at Brandon Training School in Shelbyville, TN, and as a catcher in Minor League Baseball.
Frank was hired on at the State Teachers College in 1926 as a Latin teacher, coach of football, and coach for both men’s and women’s basketball. In 1927 he also became head coach for the baseball team. During his early years at the college, he was housed in a first floor dormitory apartment in Jones Hall where he was also the building supervisor.
In the 1930 Midlander school annual, it was written that “The State Teachers College of Murfreesboro enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in basketball, football, and baseball in the history of the school. In football, the blue and white colors were hoisted to the mast of victory on six occasions. In basketball Coach Faulkinberry turned out a team that is claimed to be the greatest in the history of the school, winning seventeen and only losing seven. Our girls succeeded in winning ten of their games and losing only two. Coach Faulkinberry rose to the very heights of his ability in producing the teams that he did in the past year, and we believe he is only beginning his campaign of putting old S.T.C. on the map”. That same year Frank received his Masters of Arts from Peabody College.
The accompanying photo of Frank Faulkinberry appeared in the 1932 Midlander annual and the text below stated that “He is more optimistic about next year’s eleven than he ever has been before. So once more we give him our heartiest applause and pledge our loyalty to a great leader and understanding friend”.
One can only hope he saw those kind words from the students who obviously adored him. Frank A Faulkinberry was found shot to death on May 13th 1933 in the garage of his home. He was only 45 years old. His death was ruled a suicide.
The Street on MTSU’s campus was later named in honor of Faulkinberry and he has been posthumously inducted into both the Blue Raider Athletics and the Sewanee Athletics Halls of Fame.
