Roland Hall Dale Jr.

Roland Hall Dale, Jr. was born in Magee, Mississippi on October 30, 1927. He passed away at 5:38 PM, Monday, April 23, 2012 at St. Dominics hospital in Jackson, MS after a lengthy illness. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roland H. Dale, Sr. Roland is survived by his wife of 60 years, Teenie Coleman Dale, his sister, Kathryn Dale Parker (Billy) of Jackson, two children, Christy Dale Wilson (John) of Clinton and Frank Coleman Dale (Terri) of Dallas. He also had seven grandchildren, Rev. Jacob Dale Wilson of Jackson, Bess Wilson LaPorte (Nick) of Elizabeth Town, Ky., Coleman Parker Wilson of Clinton, Christian Kelly Wilson of Clinton, Ryan Coleman Dale of Dallas, Haley Ann Dale of Dallas and Roland H. (Trey) Dale, III of Dallas. He also had two great grandchildren, Leah Nicole LaPorte and David Alexander LaPorte of Elizabethtown, Ky.

He graduated from Magee High School and attended the University of Mississippi on a Football Athletic Scholarship. World War II interrupted his college / playing career when he chose to serve our country as a United States Marine. Returning to Ole Miss, he was Captain of the football team in 1949 and was elected Colonel Rebel" which is now called Mr. Ole Miss. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the M Club. He earned a Bachelor degree from the University of Mississippi. His athletic career continued as he joined the NFL and played for the Washington Redskins. After a career ending injury,
he returned to Ole Miss as a graduate assistant football coach and obtained his Masters degree as well.

Roland was an avid family genealogist and historian, especially of the Bible. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a loyal attendant of the "Victory" Sunday school class in Hattiesburg's First Baptist Church and the "Fishers of Men" class at the First Baptist Church of Jackson. He was also a faithful visitor for the Homebound Ministry at the First Baptist Church, Jackson. Roland and Pete Taylor delivered "Meals on Wheels" for several years and was a supporter of the Special Olympics in Hattiesburg. Close to his heart was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA, and founded the chapter at the University of Mississippi. He was on the National Staff for the National FCA at several summer camps for about ten years which his wife and children attended as well. He was in constant demand for public speaking events ranging from alumni meetings, to clubs and for other organizations state wide and across the southern states.

He started his coaching career with a short stint at Jones Junior College, then became an assistant at Greenwood High School and moved to head coach at Gulfport High School, where at 25 years old was named High School Coach of the year. He joined the college ranks as an Assistant Coach with the University of Southern Mississippi for three years and on to Tulane for a one year stint. His college coach, Johnny Vaught then summoned Coach Dale back to his alma mater to start a 13 year career spanning 1958 to 1972, coaching defense. During his coaching tenure, Ole Miss won several SEC championships as well as a National Championship and was invited to a post season bowl game every year. After two years serving as southeastern Louisiana University's Head Coach, he returned to his geographical roots of Southern Mississippi. He served USM as the Athletic Director of 12 years, taking their program from six sports to fourteen and was instrumental in founding the Metro Conference. Under his leadership all sports programs showed great progress.The football program became nationally ranked and attended post season games, the basketball program won the NIT tournament, the baseball program built a new stadium and became nationally recognized. He retired to the Reservoir area of Jackson, MS is 1986.

Roland received many awards throughout his career highlighted by being a charter inductee to the Mississippi Hall of Fame and headed several committees for the Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the University of Southern Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. He received three awards from the All-American Football Foundation; The Bruiser Kinard Outstanding Lineman Award for his performance as a player, The Mike Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award for his years as an assistance coach and the General Robert R. Neyland Lifetime Achievement Award for his overall contribution to athletics. As a player and then a coach, he was part of numerous SEC championship teams and the 1962 National Champion team of which he was the last surviving coach. The board of Trustees for the State Institute of Higher Learning awarded him the title of Athletic Director Emeritus, University of Southern Mississippi when he retired in 1986.The reception area in the new athletic office building at USM was named in honor of Roland and Teenie Dale.

His life can be characterized as one of inspiration to coaches, players, family and friends. Long after retirement, phone messages and notes continue to arrive thanking him for his influence, encouragement and support of their continuing pursuit of their goals in life. His guidance, support and, by example, his personal character traits shaped the lives of many young men who played and worked with him. His integrity and honesty were his trademarks and never questioned. He was a remarkable person, a natural leader, and admired by many. His hobbies included playing golf, fishing and his favorite, spending time with his family.

Relatives and friends are invited to visitation in the sanctuary at the First Baptist Church, Jackson from 10:00 to 11:00 prior to the service at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 26 followed by a graveside service in Magee, Mississippi at 2:00 PM. The family is honored to have Warner Alford, Billy Brewer,Lindy Callahan, Bobby Collins, Eddie Crawford, Tommy Everett, Aubrey Lucas, Louis Mapp, M. K. Turk, and Sid Weatherford serve as pall bearers. Also serving in an honorary pall bearer role will be Marshall Bell, Jim Carmody,Hill Denson, Richard Johnston, Earl Marshall, Jimmy McDowell, Ken Shearer,James Trussell,Bob Tyler and P. W. Underwood as well as the Fishers of Men Sunday school class, the University of Mississippi M Club and the Southern Mississippi M Club.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory be made to the University of Mississippi Athletic Foundation , P.O. Box 355, University, MS 38677 and / or the Southern Mississippi Roland Dale Athletic Scholarship Foundation, P. O. Box 15458, Hattiesburg, MS 39404