William "Brub" Hamilton
Class of 2005
Playing at Athens High and Florence State and coaching at four high schools and Florence State, the late William "Brub" Hamilton's name was always synonymous with success. That record is leading Hamilton in to the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame.
"Brub was a leader on and off the field," said David Martin, who was two years behind Hamilton at Athens High. "He was a very outstanding individual and a credit to every community in which he lived and coached."
Hamilton began his playing career as a four-sports athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball and track, at Athens High School. The captain of the 1952 AHS football team, Hamilton was an All-TVC selection and played in the 1952 High School All-Star Game.
From there, Hamilton went to Florence State where he was a four-year letter winner at fullback and safety for a team which compiled a 29-7-1 record.
From 1955-93, Hamilton held the Lions' team record with a 94-yard run from scrimmage and from 1952-2003 he held the record with an 85-yard punt return.
Hamilton finished third in the nation in total offense in 1955 with 1,369 yards and was selected as the Lions' Most Valuable Back, as well as a member of the Associated Press Little All-American Team and the Williams Rating System Mid-Bracket All-American Team.
Hamilton was named to the UNA All-Decade team for the years 1950-60 and to the schools' 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1998. In 1993, he was elected to the Morgan County Hall of Fame.
He finished his athletic career with 25 years of coaching at Morgan County High School, West Morgan High School, Athens High School, Coffee High School and Florence State.