Coach Melvin Hemphill was an outstanding versatile coach and athletic director who guided programs at Centreville, Amory, Clarksdale, and McComb. Born in Choctaw County near Ackerman, Coach Hemphill attended several public schools before attending Morehead Junior College. A multi-sport athlete, Melvin graduated from Delta State where he lettered in football, basketball, and tennis. He was a member of the first Delta State basketball team to compete in the NAIB Tournament in Kansas City. Like many others during the era of World War II, he joined the U. S. Navy in 1941 and served in the South Pacific. He continued an active role in the U. S. Naval Reserve from 1945 until he retired in 1961. He earned additional degrees from Alabama and Southern Miss. Coach Hemphill began his 18-year coaching career at Centreville. In 1946, he arrived at Amory High where he was head football coach and athletic director. After leading Amory to 10-1 and 9-2 seasons and two Little 10 Championships, he departed for Clarksdale High in 1948. He coached several sports at Clarksdale including the golf team which he led to the 1948 Big Eight title. Melvin was also selected Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year in 1948 for leading his football team to a 7-1-2 mark. He then arrived at McComb where he led football teams for five seasons from 1951 to 1955. Overall, his high school football teams had a record of 101 wins, 36 losses, and 4 ties. Coach Hemphill left coaching in 1955 to serve as a junior high principal in the Natchez School District until 1963. He then returned to Delta State where he worked as Director of Admissions until his retirement. One of his biggest accomplishments was helping to recruit many of the members of the famed Delta State Lady Statesmen basketball team that won three consecutive AIAW National Championships in 1975, 1976, and 1977. In addition to the MAC Coaches Hall of Fame, Coach Hemphill was inducted into the Delta State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973. Melvin passed away on December 7, 2005.