Lamar University Athletics

Statistics are not the measuring stick for determining the value of contributions to a Lamar athletic team or athletic program. Otherwise, an injustice would be done to sponsors like Elmo Beard.

In fact, statistics were not even maintained during the 1927-28 basketball season, when Beard helped South Park Junior College to a 9-2 record. For more than 50 years after his playing career ended, Beard made many contributions to Lamar University and its athletic programs as a loyal alumnus, fan and distinguished business and civic leader.

Beard’s many endeavors on behalf of Lamar include his service as a member and past president of the Lamar Junior College Board of Trustees, member of the Trustees Athletic Committee and chairman of the first season-ticket sales campaign.

For more than two decades, Beard with three other longtime friends and Lamar supporters, headed the Quarterback Booster Club to assist Lamar’s athletic programs.

He served six consecutive terms on the Beaumont City Council as well as mayor from 1954 to 1955.

He was past president of the Exchange Club, the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce and the YMBL Key Man Association. He also served as chairman of the YMBL South Texas State Fair.

He served as chairman of Beaumont’s Red Cross drive and as divisional chairman for the United Fund drive.

In business, Beard served as president and general manager of Tyrrell Hardware Company for 33 years and was a founder and director of Lamar State Bank. He also served on the board of directors of Norvell-Wilder Supply Company.

Beard served as a member of the board of stewards of St. Paul’s Methodist Church. His two daughters and two of his four grandchildren are Lamar University graduates.