| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 1 |
Alma Mater: DePauw [1928] (*)
Hometown: Francisco, IN
Date Born: January 29, 1905
Date Died: July 27, 1977
Overall Record: 29-25 [3 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/4/1944 | DePauw at Kentucky | W | 38 - 35 | - |
Biography - Lloyd Lowell Messersmith and the Origins of Notational Analysis
Biography - by Keith Lyons
Lloyd Lowell Messersmith was born in Francisco in Gibson County, Indiana on 29 January 1905. He was the first of eight children in his family. He graduated from Francisco High School in 1922 and attended Oakland City College. He taught for two years in a one-room rural school house before he went to DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana in 1924.
At DePauw he represented the University at basketball, baseball and football. He earned freshman numerals and three varsity letters in each of these sports. He was captain of basketball in his senior year and was selected as an end on the first all state team in football by the Indianapolis News in 1927. He damaged his retina in his right eye in a basketball accident in his senior year and was advised to "refrain from all strain and excessive exercise in order to prevent any greater detachment of the retina". When he graduated in 1928 he was awarded the Walker Cup for outstanding performance during his time at DePauw.
After graduation Lloyd received a teaching and coaching position at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis. He taught history and coached basketball at the school for two years. Lloyd also 'moonlighted' by refereeing basketball and football games all over Indiana. Whilst at the school he married Fae Houston in August 1929.
His coaching ability was much respected by his students at Shortridge where he made "a deep impression during his all too brief stay". In 1930 Lloyd returned to DePauw
University as freshman coach and assistant in the department of physical education. In Shortridge's last basketball under his guidance the local newspaper reported that the team: "will be at their best in this game, at the end of their bright career because of their regard for their mentor, Coach Messersmith"
On his arrival at DePauw he coached football, basketball and baseball. His position did not attract a high salary and he supplemented his income by officiating at basketball and football games during the Depression years. Many years later his wife wrote of these times: "The pay was $15 for basketball officials and $25 for football. The fellowship with other officials was good and the extra money was nice. Fae didn't mind the excited Indiana basketball fans and their boos at the officials as she knew that 'Messer's' decisions were fair; however there were times they hurried away after a game!"
Lloyd received a Master's degree from Columbia University in 1932 after four summer terms there.
He taught at DePauw for fifteen years from 1930 to 1945. Towards the end of his time there he was the Acting Director of Athletics. He had a sabbatical year in 1942 to complete his doctoral dissertation at Indiana University. The original title for his dissertation was: A Study of the Comparative Physical Fatigue Engendered by Participation in a Major Sport - Basketball. But this ultimately became: The Development of a Measurement Technique for Determining the Distances Traversed by Players in Basketball
During this period of their lives Lloyd and Fae Messersmith had three daughters Ann (b 1935), Jean (b 1937) and Kay (b 1941).
In 1945, Lloyd was offered the position of chairman of physical education at the Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas. He remained as chairman for the next 25 years until his retirement in 1970. Throughout this period he taught handball. It is reported that he reserved an 'A' grade for any student that could beat him and that no student had ever gained that grade!
He held a number of offices in physical education associations in Indiana and Texas. In 1961 he received an Honor Fellow award from the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In 1969, as part of the centennial celebrations of the game of football, he was chosen as one of DePauw University's twenty-five outstanding players. His hobbies included photography and he was the movie photographer for the SMU Mustang football team for almost three decades.
Throughout his life Lloyd was an active Methodist and was listed in Who's Who in American Methodism. He and his family were members of the Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas. He was a non-smoker and a non-drinker.
He retired from his University post in 1970. All his life he was a physically active person. From 1970 to 1975 he exercised daily and at the age of 70 was still able to do 100 push ups a day! In his more restful moments he particularly enjoyed playing bridge and was described by a friend as "a better partner than opponent".
He suffered a stroke in January 1975. A second stroke resulted in his death on 27 July 1977. At his funeral service a eulogy by his friend Willis Tate, President Emeritus at Southern Methodist University, included the following:
A giant tree has fallen in the forest leaving a wide empty space in the sky. ...
He served by being an example of absolute integrity and fairness...
Lloyd took great satisfaction from being a teacher. His students admired and loved him.
His funeral on 29 July 1977 in Dallas was attended by a large congregation.
