Here's some bio info on Coach Archer from Troy's SID after he was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
It took no time at all for John Archer to make an impact on the Troy State men’s basketball program, leading the Red Wave to three straight NAIA National Tournaments in his first three seasons. Archer completed his career with over 300 victories and is now immortalized in the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame.
Archer became the third coach in program history in 1956, taking over for Leonard Serfustini. Along with his basketball duties, Archer also served as the tennis head coach, a line coach for the football team and as an instructor in the physical education department.
During his time at Troy State, Archer coached the first two 1,000-point scorers in program history, as Frank Miller and Paul Word eclipsed the mark during the 1961-62 season. Over his career, Archer coached five student-athletes who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau.
Archer’s success at the NAIA level helped to lay the foundation for future head coach and Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Don Maestri, culminating in the Trojans’ advancement to the Division I level in 1993.
His former players speak highly of him as a great basketball mind, but also as a great teacher off the court, as he loved to see his players succeed in life after basketball.
“We learned a lot from him, about basketball and about life,” said Word. “We all went on to different things, but we always used the lessons that he taught us.”
Word would go on to coach high school basketball for more than 40 years, winning two state titles in Alabama, while still using some of the defensive schemes that he learned from Archer.
Archer won no fewer than 18 games in each of his first 11 seasons, culminating in a 26-7 record in 1966-67. He won three Alabama Collegiate Conference regular season championships (1960-61, 1961-62, 1963-64) over a four-year stretch, amassing a combined 31-11 record in conference games. In 17 seasons, his teams won 78 percent of their home games, including nine seasons with one home loss or fewer.
“I played for him for three years, we had a great team,” Word said. “We didn’t really have positions, we all played everywhere, did what we needed to do. I played some guard, I played some at forward. I even played center, but that was back when a 6’3” center was considered tall.”
A well liked and respected coach, Archer was also chosen to serve on the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Committee in 1969 where he helped choose the United States’ teams for the Pan American Games and the 1972 Olympics in Munich
I should have mentioned that one fan got to try a 94-foot, full-court putt during a timeout. If he made it, he'd win some great prize ("A brand-new car!" - actually I don't know what the prize was). Anyway, the guy darn near made it.
This "near miss" reminded me of the time I ALMOST hit a half-court shot at Sartain Hall where I would have won 500 smackers - in 1992 dollars. Man, that ball went "in and out." In 35 seconds, I did hit a lay-up, free throw and three-point shot before I got to my half-court attempt. (I actually had time to get off two half-court heaves, the second one which almost went in).
I did win a case of Pepsi as the contest was sponsored by Pepsi Bottling of Luverne.
As always I correct typos and embarrassing errors as soon as I catch them - which is always 2 to 10 minutes after I hit the "send" button on dispatches.
I can't write under deadline pressure like I used to.
I did hear some sad news today. Carol Amos, Mike's wife, told me that Johnny Williams is currently in failing or concerning medical condition in Tuscaloosa, where he now lives.
Johnny, of course, was the athletic director who led the successful transition of Troy from Division II to Division I and led fund-raising to improve so many athletic facilities. He is also one of Mike Amos's long-time best friends.
Carol said Johnny was diagnosed with leukemia a year or so ago and has had a negative reaction to his treatment protocol. I'm sure everyone joins me in sending up prayers for Johnny and his family as he battles to get back to full health.
I was down by the cheerleaders and band. I had spent the morning with Mike Amos in the Troy University Alumni Leadership Meeting where the Head Troy Football Coach and Baseball Coach gave us updates on their upcoming season. I am an alumni cheerleader and President of the Journalism Alumni Chapter.
Thanks, Barbara. I'm trying to get more of my Troy Citizen readers to make more posts in the Reader Comments' Section, which I think would "add value" to this newsletter.
Here's some bio info on Coach Archer from Troy's SID after he was inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
It took no time at all for John Archer to make an impact on the Troy State men’s basketball program, leading the Red Wave to three straight NAIA National Tournaments in his first three seasons. Archer completed his career with over 300 victories and is now immortalized in the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame.
Archer became the third coach in program history in 1956, taking over for Leonard Serfustini. Along with his basketball duties, Archer also served as the tennis head coach, a line coach for the football team and as an instructor in the physical education department.
During his time at Troy State, Archer coached the first two 1,000-point scorers in program history, as Frank Miller and Paul Word eclipsed the mark during the 1961-62 season. Over his career, Archer coached five student-athletes who surpassed the 1,000-point plateau.
Archer’s success at the NAIA level helped to lay the foundation for future head coach and Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Don Maestri, culminating in the Trojans’ advancement to the Division I level in 1993.
His former players speak highly of him as a great basketball mind, but also as a great teacher off the court, as he loved to see his players succeed in life after basketball.
“We learned a lot from him, about basketball and about life,” said Word. “We all went on to different things, but we always used the lessons that he taught us.”
Word would go on to coach high school basketball for more than 40 years, winning two state titles in Alabama, while still using some of the defensive schemes that he learned from Archer.
Archer won no fewer than 18 games in each of his first 11 seasons, culminating in a 26-7 record in 1966-67. He won three Alabama Collegiate Conference regular season championships (1960-61, 1961-62, 1963-64) over a four-year stretch, amassing a combined 31-11 record in conference games. In 17 seasons, his teams won 78 percent of their home games, including nine seasons with one home loss or fewer.
“I played for him for three years, we had a great team,” Word said. “We didn’t really have positions, we all played everywhere, did what we needed to do. I played some guard, I played some at forward. I even played center, but that was back when a 6’3” center was considered tall.”
A well liked and respected coach, Archer was also chosen to serve on the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Committee in 1969 where he helped choose the United States’ teams for the Pan American Games and the 1972 Olympics in Munich
I should have mentioned that one fan got to try a 94-foot, full-court putt during a timeout. If he made it, he'd win some great prize ("A brand-new car!" - actually I don't know what the prize was). Anyway, the guy darn near made it.
This "near miss" reminded me of the time I ALMOST hit a half-court shot at Sartain Hall where I would have won 500 smackers - in 1992 dollars. Man, that ball went "in and out." In 35 seconds, I did hit a lay-up, free throw and three-point shot before I got to my half-court attempt. (I actually had time to get off two half-court heaves, the second one which almost went in).
I did win a case of Pepsi as the contest was sponsored by Pepsi Bottling of Luverne.
As always I correct typos and embarrassing errors as soon as I catch them - which is always 2 to 10 minutes after I hit the "send" button on dispatches.
I can't write under deadline pressure like I used to.
I did hear some sad news today. Carol Amos, Mike's wife, told me that Johnny Williams is currently in failing or concerning medical condition in Tuscaloosa, where he now lives.
Johnny, of course, was the athletic director who led the successful transition of Troy from Division II to Division I and led fund-raising to improve so many athletic facilities. He is also one of Mike Amos's long-time best friends.
Carol said Johnny was diagnosed with leukemia a year or so ago and has had a negative reaction to his treatment protocol. I'm sure everyone joins me in sending up prayers for Johnny and his family as he battles to get back to full health.
Great pictures!
I was down by the cheerleaders and band. I had spent the morning with Mike Amos in the Troy University Alumni Leadership Meeting where the Head Troy Football Coach and Baseball Coach gave us updates on their upcoming season. I am an alumni cheerleader and President of the Journalism Alumni Chapter.
Thanks, Barbara. I'm trying to get more of my Troy Citizen readers to make more posts in the Reader Comments' Section, which I think would "add value" to this newsletter.