Lamar University Athletics

Until Tyrus (Ty) Terrell became the head coach in 1956, the Lamar track team had scored only six points in four Lone Star Conference meets. But Terrell patiently built Lamar’s program to where it was recognized as a national power at the time of Terrell’s tragic death in an airplane crash April 28, 1968, at the Beaumont Municipal Airport.
Always short of manpower, Terrell traditionally had great relay teams that won numerous championships in the major relay meets across the nation. He guided the Cardinals to a Lone Star Conference championship in 1963. His 1964 sprint medley relay team won titles at the Texas and Kansas relays. In 1967, Terrell’s track program became Lamar’s first sport to gain University Division status. Terrell, who originated the fine postseason meet known as the Ty Terrell Relays, coached four individual nation champions in 1960, 1961 and 1964. He served as backfield coach in football from 1955 through 1962.