Tennessee State University family from across the country traveled to Kean Hall Gymnasium to honor the late Edward Stanley Temple with a memorial service on Friday. Coach Temple, who passed away on Sept. 22 at the age of 89, coached the TSU women’s track and field team for over 40 years.
In addition to his duties with the Tigerbelles, Coach Temple served as the Head Coach of the United States Women’s Olympic Track and Field Team in the 1960 and 1964 games. He also led the U.S. at the Pan-American Games in 1959 and 1975. Coach Temple guided 40 TSU athletes to the Olympics, winning 27 Olympic medals.
The Tigerbelles won 34 national titles (16 Indoor, 13 Outdoor, and 5 Junior Championships) during his time in Nashville.
Former TSU men’s track and field star Ralph Boston, who won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, presided over the service. Dr. Madeline Manning Mims, a Tigerbelle and Olympic gold medalist provided a powerful rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art.’
A number of individuals paid tribute to Coach Temple with speeches during the ceremony. Among the speakers included were:
• Dr. Glenda Glover, Tennessee State University president
• Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam
• Nashville Mayor Megan Barry
• Tracy Sundlun, representing the United States Olympic Committee
• Terry Crawford, United States of America Track and Field Association director of coaching
• Christie Hauck, New Hope Academy
• Lucinda Williams Adams, Tigerbelle and Olympic Gold Medalist
• Edith McGuire Duvall, Tigerbelle and Olympic Gold Medalist
• Wyomia Tyus, Tigerbelle and Olympic Gold Medalist
• Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice, Tigerbelle and Olympic Gold Medalist
The memorial service also included musical selections by the New Hope Academy Choir and Paula Chavis. Coach Temple’s daughter, Dr. Edwina R. Temple, gave a family appreciation on behalf of the Temple family.
