[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 85 (Monday, May 22, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7118-S7119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO COACH HAYDEN RILEY

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, many in the athletic circles of Alabama 
were saddened last month by the death of Hayden Riley, former 
University of Alabama basketball and baseball coach. In 1964, 1965, and 
1967, his basketball teams achieved upset victories over the University 
of Kentucky, truly remarkable feats. From 1971 to 1979, he served as 
the school's head baseball coach, winning two SEC championships.
  Originally from Guin, AL, Hayden Riley attended Marion County High 
School, playing four sports while a student there. In 1942, he was 
called to active duty in the Navy. While stationed at Pensacola Naval 
Air Station, he played football, basketball, and baseball.
  After being discharged, he attended the University of Alabama, where 
he lettered in basketball and baseball from 1947 to 1949. In 1948, he 
graduated with a degree in physical education and went on to receive 
his masters in 1953 in physical education and school 
administration. [[Page S7119]] 
  In 1951, Hayden joined the University of Alabama staff as assistant 
basketball coach. He became head coach in 1961, staying for 9 years. 
Legendary coach Paul ``Bear'' Bryant made him assistant athletic 
director in 1968, and he worked as one of Bear's top football 
recruiters until he became head baseball coach in 1971.
  Hayden Riley made many outstanding contributions to the University of 
Alabama as both a player and a coach. I extend my sincerest condolences 
to his family and friends, and ask unanimous consent that a news column 
on his career be printed in the Record following my remarks.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

          (By John Cameron, Assistant Managing Editor/Sports)

                   Bear Said, Just Coach, and He Did

       Hayden Riley and Paul ``Bear'' Bryant came to Alabama to 
     coach just about the same time.
       Riley left Coffee High School in Florence and joined Dr. 
     Eugene Lambert's basketball staff as an assistant coach in 
     1957. Bear came home in 1958 to take over as football coach 
     and athletic director.
       Today's generations know about the legend of the Bear. Very 
     few of the younger Alabama supporters know about coach Hayden 
     Riley. Some have never head of him.
       Yet, Riley, who died Monday following a lengthy illness, 
     was one of the most loyal and dedicated people to ever coach 
     in the Crimson Tide athletic program.
       In a sense, he ``was Alabama.'' He lettered in basketball 
     and baseball as a post-World War II student and, as a coach, 
     he contributed greatly to Bama's rich sports history.
       Somehow, Coach Riley has been overlooked. He contributions 
     are seldom recognized and he is not the Alabama Sports Hall 
     of Fame. However, he is not without fame. Many former Alabama 
     athletes and coaches have fond memories of the Bama mentor. 
     They know what he did for them.
       Coach Riley became Alabama's basketball coach in 1961, the 
     same year that Bryant won his first national championship.
       In those days, coaching basketball was a struggle. It was 
     still all-white and all the headlines, money and fans went to 
     football. Only a few leftovers went to basketball.
       These were the days when Tide basketball was played in 
     cramped Foster Auditorium and games provided students with 
     something to do after football season. Still, he was happy 
     just to have the chance to do the job.
       He wound up with a losing record in basketball by only two 
     games (102-104) but he had some big years. Most of his losses 
     came in his early years.
       In the SEC during the 1960s, you measured success by the 
     number of times you defeated powerhouse Kentucky. Riley upset 
     the Wildcats in 1964, 1965 and 1967. His 1967 team went 17-9.
       In 1968, Bear made him assistant athletic director and put 
     him on the road recruiting. He became one of Bama's top 
     recruiters during the early 1970s, a period that produced 
     some of the Tide's greatest teams. He spent quite a bit of 
     time in Mobile and southwest Alabama.
       Bear then asked him to coach the baseball team. From 1971-
     79, he compiled a 224-163-1 mark and won two Western Division 
     titles. Diabetes forced him to retire from coaching in the 
     spring of 1979, although he remained with the university in 
     an administrative capacity until 1982.
       No, history does not record Riley as a great coach in 
     basketball or baseball at Alabama. However, it does reflect 
     his strength as a loyal member of the staff and a man willing 
     to give his time to help young people. He seemed comfortable 
     remaining somewhat in the background.
     

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