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Georgia College & State University sadly announced that their first athletic director, Floyd Anderson, passed away Dec. 14, leaving behind a legacy at the college.
Anderson grew up in Titusville, Penn., and joined the U.S. Navy out of high school. He served in the South Pacific theatre during World War II. According to his obituary, Anderson served “until his honorable discharge after the war in 1946 and truly was a member of “The Greatest Generation.” Following his military service, Anderson returned to Pennsylvania and would graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelors degree in education. His academic career would begin shortly after graduation at Northside High School in Atlanta in the early 1950s. He taught classes and coached two state championship girls’ basketball teams and one state championship track team.
While teaching and coaching at the high school level, Anderson pursued his masters of education at Georgia Peabody College (presently Vanderbilt University) during the summers. In the mid-1950s, he began his first collegiate teaching and coaching position at Alabama College (presently known as the University of Montevallo). He taught and coached men’s tennis and cross-country track and field. According to Anderson’s obituary, his 1966 men’s tennis team remains the only undefeated athletic team in the school’s history and was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
In 1967, Anderson made his debut at Georgia College & State University. He served as the chairman of the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department and was the first athletic director. He also served as the first head coach for baseball and coached both men’s and women’s basketball throughout his time at GCSU.
Serving until 1989, Anderson would hire and mentor four GCSU Hall of Fame coaches: Stan Aldridge, Mike Peeler, Geza Martini and John Kurtz. In addition, he was a moving force for Georgia College Athletics to join the Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1970 and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1974. Working with these groups, he helped acquire GCSU’s west campus area which now hosts multiple athletic fields.
“Floyd Anderson literally paved the pathway for Georgia College Athletics,” said GCSU Director of Athletics Wendell Staton in a press release. “Thanks to his efforts and vision, our student-athletes, faculty & staff, and the entire university community are able to enjoy the fruits of his labor. During my tenure sitting in the chair he created, he has been so supportive and positive in every way possible. We will certainly miss his presence at Kurtz Field, as he was at nearly every Georgia College baseball game. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Anderson family.”
In 2017, Anderson was inducted into the Georgia College Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments and service to the college. He was the foundation for GCSU athletics and a dear friend to many in the community. While his loss is sad, his legacy will remain written in the Hall of Fame and the future of GC athletics.
Anderson is survived by his wife, Melissa Anderson; sons, Blake (Paula) and Blaine (Mary Ellen) Anderson; granddaughter, Sarah Beth (James) McMillan; grandson, Brannon Anderson; and great-grandchildren J.D. and Madeline McMillan.
All information provided was pulled from the GCSU Atheltics Hall of Fame, a GCSU press release, and Floyd Anderson’s obituary.