November 2, 2011

Ralph Broyles joins his brother Kenneth in TTU Sports Hall of Fame

Ralph Broyles was a key part of Tennessee Tech’s most successful football team in history, and on Friday night he will be inducted into the TTU Sports Hall of Fame. Joining his brother Kenneth, the pair will be the first siblings in the 159-member Hall.

Dinner and induction is Friday night

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- A first-team all-OVC selection as a senior, Ralph Broyles was a key part of Tennessee Tech’s most successful football team in history, helping to win back-to-back conference championships in the middle of a four-year stretch in which the Golden Eagles reigned as league title-holders.

In recognition of his success as a Golden Eagle, Broyles is one of five people who will be enshrined into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame on Friday as the school honors its athletic legacy with the 37th annual induction ceremony.

The 2011 Hall of Fame Class will be honored during Homecoming weekend. The induction will take place at the Hall of Fame Dinner Friday evening, and the group will also be recognized at the Homecoming football game Saturday against Murray State.

He joins his brother, Kenneth Broyles, in the Hall of Fame – the first time siblings have been inducted into Tech’s Sports Hall of Fame. Kenneth played football at Tech from 1951 to 1953 and was inducted in 1982.

A two-year starter for coach Wilburn Tucker, Broyles played on the 1959 and 1960 Golden Eagle squads. During his junior year, Tech was 6-2-2 overall and won the league’s co-championship with a 5-0-1 record. The following year, with Broyles grabbing his all-OVC honors, Tech was 8-3 overall and 6-0 in the league, advancing to the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando.

Having already used two years of eligibility, Broyles joined the program and earned the starting assignment at halfback in his second game in the purple and gold.

A leader by example, Broyles was the team’s leading rusher in 1960 with 495 yards on 125 caries. He led Tech in all-purpose yards (558) and scoring (30 points). Playing during an era in which the Golden Eagles featured power running, Broyles was just as important as a blocker out the backfield as he was as a ball carrier. He went the entire season without getting tackled-for-loss, and never suffered a turnover.

In addition to his achievements on the field, Broyles also proved to be an outstanding citizen in his community and at work. At Tennessee Farmer’s Insurance Company, he consistently excelled, earning designation as a member of the company’s honor roll and President’s Club for 44 years. He showed continuing dedication to making improvements in his community by assuming leadership roles in his church, civic clubs and youth organizations

He received his bachelor’s of science degree in 1961 in agriculture. Ralph and his wife, Patsy, live in Cookeville and have raised three grown children – Douglas, Kimberly and Kevin.

Joining Broyles in the Class of 2011 are fellow football selections James “Redbone” McMillan and Chad Evitts, volleyball standout Angie Duncan Hyche and tennis record-setter Esra Bayburt Roan. With their induction, the Hall of Fame will grow to 159 since it was established in 1975.

Tickets to the Hall of Fame Dinner and the Homecoming football game are available by calling (931) 372-3940, or through the Athletics ticket office in Eblen Center. Reservations must be made for the dinner, and tickets are $25 each. Reservations may also be made online at TTUsports.com.