Coach Ed Billingham Endowed Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established by his friends, associates and most of all his former players to honor the name of this distinguished emeritus coach of The University of North Alabama to promote the education of outstanding students enrolled on a full-time basis at The University of North Alabama.
Ed Billingham served as head basketball coach for the Lions from 1949-1972 and led the Lions to two NAIA National Tournaments in 1960 and 1962. He posted a 249-312 record over his 24 seasons with the Lions, with his best single season mark coming in 1962 with a 17-9 record.
Coach Billingham coached one All-American in Dabbs Earnest and coached numerous players who became outstanding coaches like Wimp Sanderson, Bill Jones and John Bostick. He was a football, basketball and baseball standout at Fairmont State College (W. Va.) and he received his B.A. degree from Fairmont in 1941, majoring in mathematics and physical education. Received the Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 1947.
Eligibility of consideration shall therefore be open to all students of The University of North Alabama who have not been tendered another scholarship and whose character, leadership, and academic performance place them at the forefront of all students enrolled on a full-time basis at the University, with priority given to walk-on athletes.