[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E58-E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LARRY BLAKENEY FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO ALABAMA 
                               ATHLETICS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARTHA ROBY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2015

  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Larry Blakeney, an 
exceptional Alabamian who has made an enormous contribution to 
athletics and the development of young people in my state.
   Coach Blakeney is best known as the head coach of the Troy 
University Trojan football team, a position he held for 24 years, 
retiring this past December. During that time, Coach Blakeney built a 
little-known Southeast Alabama team into a conference powerhouse and a 
nationally-competitive program. His remarkable career at Troy has 
included six 10-win seasons, five Sunbelt Conference championships, and 
178 wins--a total that places him among the top three Alabama college 
coaches, behind the legendary Paul ``Bear'' Bryant and just ahead of 
his mentor and winningest Auburn coach Ralph ``Shug'' Jordan.
   Among the defining characteristics of Larry Blakeney-coached teams 
was the fearless attitude they took into competition. ``Any team, 
anytime, anywhere'' was Troy's motto, never phased or intimidated by 
traditional college football powers. And the Trojans would not just 
compete against the best, they would win. Simply put, Larry Blakeney 
has personified Troy Football, so much so that the field on which the 
Trojans play bears his name.
   Larry Blakeney's impact on the game of football in Alabama started 
as a player in high school, when he led the Gordo Green Wave to a 
record of 24-2-2 and three-straight Warrior Conference championships. 
He enrolled at Auburn University, where he became the first sophomore 
to start at quarterback under Coach Ralph ``Shug'' Jordan, a 
distinction that shows the extraordinary trust the legendary coach 
placed in him.
   Blakeney began his coaching career in the high school ranks, first 
at Southern Academy, then Walker High School and Vestavia Hills High 
School. He was then hired at his beloved alma mater, Auburn, where he 
served as an assistant coach for 14 seasons. Auburn would experience 
one of its most successful runs ever with Coach Blakeney calling plays, 
including three-straight SEC championships in 1987, 1988 and 1989. 
Coach Blakeney's success and championship drive made him the perfect 
choice to lead Troy's burgeoning football program beginning in 1991.
   His success on the gridiron has led to many accolades, including 
multiple ``Coach of the Year'' honors and placement in the Alabama 
Sports Hall of Fame. However, Coach Blakeney's impact goes far beyond 
the playing field.
   From Gordo to Auburn to Troy, he has maintained close, warm 
relationships with his teammates, fellow coaches, and players. The 
Auburn Creed, which outlines how Auburn men and women are supposed to 
live, emphasizes ``the human touch,'' which cultivates love, 
understanding and sympathy with your fellow man. Larry Blakeney 
personifies and embodies that ``human touch'' to a great and rare 
degree.

[[Page E59]]

   Hundreds and perhaps thousands of once-young men are, today, better 
husbands, fathers, and citizens because of the positive influence of 
Coach Blakeney; a good man who used the game of football to teach 
integrity, character, and perseverance throughout his entire career.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to acknowledge Coach Blakeney's 
positive impact on young people in Alabama, to celebrate his remarkable 
career, and to honor his place among the greatest college football 
coaches to walk the sidelines in my state.

                          ____________________