Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame
Known as “the long, lean center,” Billy Hughes was a three-sport athlete, lettering in tennis and baseball as well as in basketball.
In basketball he was a mainstay on the team, captain of the Lynx squad and named captain of the All-Star Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Team in 1928. This honor came after he had led the Lynx to the finals in as All-S.S.I.A. tournament in a year called “the greatest basketball season in the history of the school.”
In tennis Billy was a key member of the formidable team that beat Ole Miss in 1928 and 1929. His love of tennis and mastery of the game was to continue long after graduation. He was a 10-year Memphis city champion in tennis and a one-year state champion in tennis singles.
As a Southwestern student and campus leader, Billy Hughes distinguished himself in many ways. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa honorary leadership fraternity, the Honor Council, Student Council, the Southwestern Players, Glee Club and business manager of the yearbook. He was even voted “most handsome” in the spring elections of 1928.
In recognition of the accomplishments of an outstanding alumnus and superb athlete, Rhodes is honored to induct WILLIAM FRIERSON HUGHES into the Athletic Hall of Fame this 23rd day of October, 1998.
