B. L. Noojin

Balpha Lonnie (B.L. or Lonnie) Noojin (August 10, 1855 in Attalla, Alabama – September 7, 1950 in Gadsden, Alabama),cite web|title="Noojin, Balpha Lonnie, Sr."|work=PoliticalGraveyard.com |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/noland-noon.html#RY71516WG|accessdate=2007-03-10] athlete, educator and politician, was also a successful businessman. Noojin completed his education at The University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1908. While at the Capstone, Noojin was associate editor of the student newspaper and annual and an outstanding member of The University baseball team. Following graduation, he played baseball briefly for the Cincinnati Reds. Noojin then moved from baseball to education.cite web|title="Balpha Lonnie Noojin"|work=CBA.UA.edu|url=http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/79BLN.html|accessdate=2007-02-23]

Education

Noojin taught at the Agricultural School in Blountsville and Albertville. In Albertville, he met Willie Lucille McNaron, and married her in 1916. Noojin served as director of athletics at Howard College before coming to "the Capstone". At Alabama, Noojin served coach for both baseball and basketball, athletic director and instructor of English, French, Spanish, Physics and Chemistry.cite web|title="Balpha Lonnie Noojin"|work=CBA.UA.edu|url=http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/79BLN.html|accessdate=2007-02-23]

Business

In 1919, he resigned from the University to join his brother in the hardware business. The Noojin brothers operated a hardware store until 1923, when they founded the Noojin Supply Company. Three years later, Noojin bought his brother's interest and managed the company on his own. Noojin became active in a number of civic activities. He was on the Board of Directors of the American National Bank of Gadsden, Alabama Power Company and the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce. Noojin was the president of the National Alumni Association and member of the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama.cite web|title="Balpha Lonnie Noojin"|work=CBA.UA.edu|url=http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/79BLN.html|accessdate=2007-02-23]

*Inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame (1979)cite web|title="Balpha Lonnie Noojin"|work=CBA.UA.edu|url=http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/79BLN.html|accessdate=2007-02-23]

Politics

Noojin was also an active politician, serving on the Republican State Committee and the Republican National Convention.cite web|title="Balpha Lonnie Noojin"|work=CBA.UA.edu|url=http://cba.ua.edu/investing/hall_of_fame/79BLN.html|accessdate=2007-02-23]

*Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1924 (alternate), 1932, 1940, 1944, 1948cite web|title="Noojin, Balpha Lonnie, Sr."|work=PoliticalGraveyard.com |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/noland-noon.html#RY71516WG|accessdate=2007-03-10]
*Member, Republican National Committee from Alabama, 1940-1943cite web|title="Noojin, Balpha Lonnie, Sr."|work=PoliticalGraveyard.com |url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/noland-noon.html#RY71516WG|accessdate=2007-03-10]

Coaching

Baseball

Lonnie Noojin (1916-1920) led the Crimson Tide to five SIAA titles in his six-year tenure at the Capstone. He compiled a 70-20 (.778) overall record coaching on the diamond.cite web|title="Alabama Baseball 2006"|work=RollTide.com|url=http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/baseball/2006/gamenotes.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=8000|accessdate=2007-03-10]

Basketball

Lonnie Noojin coached the Alabama men's basketball team for a single season in 1918 to a 2-5 (.286) recordcite web|title="Alabama Head Coaches All-Time Record Breakdown"|work=RollTide.com|url=http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/mbasketball/history/Alabama_Head_Coaches_All_Time.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=8000|accessdate=2007-03-10]

References