Rhodes College Athletics

For years Southwestern had been recognized as a Southern football power. When George Blakemore arrived on campus in 1937, sports fans began to take notice of the Lynx basketball program as well.

George Blakemore was a four-year letterman in basketball at Southwestern. He was named All Dixie Conference his junior year. George was elected team captain as a senior and was selected to play in the 1941 College All-Star Game, one of eighteen players nationally to be so honored. His stellar play as a collegian gave him an opportunity to play professionally for the Sheboygan Redskins of the National Basketball League. He was the first Southwestern basketball player to play professional basketball.

George was a student leader as well. He served as secretary/ treasurer of the “S” Club and was awarded the American Legion Award. He also received the Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award and was named to the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. George’s classmates also selected him as the “Most Handsome Man On Campus.”

For pioneering the sport of basketball, being an outstanding student leader and bringing distinction to his alma mater, Rhodes is honored to induct the late GEORGE EDWIN BLAKEMORE into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame, this 25th day of October, 2002.