Sports: Dr. Artis M. Davenport II, 1976, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: February 11, 1976 Winn Parish Enterprise

Former Resident Top Track Coach

Dr. Artis M. Davenport II, track coach and head of the physical education
department at Southern University in New Orleans, has been named Track Coach
of the Year by the NCAA Division III Track Coaches Association.

Davenport, a former resident of Ward 8, Winn Parish, received the honor
largely from SUNO's spectacular win last spring in the NCAA Division III Track
and Field Championship in Berea, Ohio, earning 66 points, 32 more than runner
up Augustina College with 34 points.

SUNO's success was even more remarkable because the team really ran itself to
the championship, having participated in no field events.

A native of Monroe, Davenport is a graduate of Tuskegee Institute.  He later
earned both M. S. and Ed. D. degrees from Louisiana State University.

The history of track at SUNO almost parallels the career of Davenport at SUNO.
Joining the staff in 1961 as athletic director, he immediately began efforts
to organize an athletic program.

He started SUNO's first track team as an outgrowth of the intramural program
in the early sixties, and he has served as track coach ever since.

Five years ago, Davenport began the SUNO Relays which have now become the
premier track event of the year for the State of Louisiana.  This year's meet,
scheduled for March 12-13 at Behrman Stadium, promises to be spectacular.