University honors alumnus Dal Shealy with Founders’ Day Medallion

^{On Thursday, Oct. 15, Carson-Newman University presented South Carolina native Dal Shealy with its Founders’ Day Medallion. Pictured left to right are Carson-Newman President Randall O’Brien, his wife Kay O’Brien, Dal Shealy and his wife Barbara Shealy.}

(Oct. 15, 2015) – During its annual Founders’ Day service, Carson-Newman University presented its Founders’ Day Medallion to Clemson, South Carolina’s Dalmuth “Dal” Shealy. The award is one of the most prestigious honors given by the University.

“When I think of Dal,” said Carson-Newman President J. Randall O’Brien to those assembled at the Oct. 15 event, “I think of a Christian leader in family, athletics, church, community and Christian colleges and other universities. In fact, if I had to describe him in three words, it would be “leader for Christ.”

Shealy, a South Carolina native, graduated from Carson-Newman in 1960, where he played football and was named to the all-Tennessee team. A reservist for the United State Marine Corps in college, he was commissioned as a lieutenant upon graduation and went on to win the National Service Championship playing ball for the Quantico Marines.

He served as head football coach at Mars Hill and Richmond universities. He was also assistant coach at Baylor, Tennessee and Auburn universities. He earned the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1971 and 1972, and the state of Virginia’s Coach of the Year three times and American Football Coaches Association Kodak Region Five Coach of the Year in 1984.

In 1989 he was named Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) executive vice president. He went on to serve as the organization’s president from 1992 to 2005.

His service has garnered him respect by those throughout athletics at all levels. His commitment led University of Nebraska coaching legend Tom Osborne to say, “I can’t think of anyone who has been able to steer a steadier course than Dal. I think his work as a coach, his knowledge of athletics, his understanding of young people and coaches has been invaluable.”

Dal and his wife Barbara Shealy, a 1962 Carson-Newman alumna, have three grown children and several grandchildren.