Franklin Receives Induction into Basketball Hall of Fame

Murray, Ky., March 2 – Murray State University Teacher Quality Institute Director W.A. Franklin was the 21st inductee into the Marion-Crittenden County Basketball Hall of Fame on Feb. 13.

Franklin, a 1956 graduate of Marion High School in Marion, Ky., became the school’s leading scorer in the history of MHS basketball scoring 1247 points as a starter from 1953 to 1956. Franklin was quite versatile and played point guard, off guard, forward and center.

Though Franklin’s induction was for basketball, he also stood out in MHS baseball and football. He began playing baseball in the Rotary Club Little League Program and continued into American Legion Baseball. While at MHS, he played for two years and finished his senior year with an undefeated season.

Franklin lettered in football three years as quarterback and started both his junior and senior years. Though the University of Evansville offered him a football scholarship, Franklin was recruited by Coach Rex Alexander at Murray State University where he went on to play basketball and baseball his freshman year. He later headed in a different direction and became a member of the Murray State Rifle Team lettering three years.

Franklin not only excelled in his athletic career, but in his professional one as well. After graduating from Murray State, he went on to serve in the US Army as first lieutenant from 1961-1963, as teacher, principal, and superintendent in the public school systems, and as professor at Knoxville College, Western Kentucky University, University of Tennessee, and Murray State University. Franklin now serves as the Director for the Teacher Quality Institute at Murray State.

"Our coaches taught us so much more than how to play a sport. We learned how to be team players, how to lead and how to follow, how to make decisions and solve problems, how to develop and how to sustain a good work ethic, and the importance of sportsmanship,” Franklin said. “I attribute much of my success to the lessons that I learned on the playing fields and in the gym at Marion High School. I am very thankful for that experience."