MID-SOUTH MEMORIES
25 years ago — 1996
Add the names Phil Clark and Larry Liles to the list of Memphians recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1996. No, neither Liles nor Clark earned any gold medals or participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. But both were named U.S. Olympic Committee coaches of the year by the organization, it was announced Tuesday. Clark, the baseball coach at Germantown High, and Liles, the racquetball coach at the University of Memphis, both earned the honor as Developmental Coaches. This is the first year the USOC has named coaches of the year. The USOC selected Clark for his efforts in 1995, when he guided the Red Devils to a 38-0 record and the consensus No. 1 national ranking. Liles coaches the U of M racquetball program, which has won 12 intercollegiate championships and finished runner-up six times since 1975. 50 years ago — 1971
The cost of altering the design of the proposed expressway through Overton Park with either a depression or a tunnel would be "chicken feed compared to the preservation of an important park," a former federal official testified in federal court yesterday. Oscar Gray, once acting director of the Department of Transportation's Office of Environmental Impact, added, however, that his office was not consulted about recommended alternatives when the expressway design was approved by Edgar H. Swick, deputy director of the federal Bureau of Public Roads.
75 years ago — 1946
NEW YORK – If the weather is clear and you peer up into the skies about 9 (Memphis time) Wednesday night there'll be Giacobini-zinner, a comet with a tail eight days long. Astronomers predict it will be one of the most dazzling displays of celestial fireworks in history. The head of the comet zipped past earth a week ago Monday, but it was 24,000,000 miles away and not many people noticed. The fiery tail will be 131,000 miles away, about half the distance to the moon.
100 years ago — 1921
NEW YORK – Babe Ruth, champion home run slugger was told by Dr. Geo. D. Stewart late today that his infected left arm, operated upon Friday, must be given at least a week's rest. This means that the Yankees' star, if the doctor's advice is heeded, will not appear in the remainder of the World Series. Ruth's arm was injured just above the elbow two weeks ago, when he stole second base in a game with the Cleveland Indians. "But my absence won't hurt the Yankees," he said. "It will only make them fight all the harder."
125 years ago — 1896
TRENTON, Tenn. – Chairman T. J. Hays has appointed the following on the Democratic Committee of Gibson County: R. Z. Taylor, James R. Deason, Albert W. Biggs, Dr. T. J. Happel and Spiral Hill.