BILLY JOE ADCOCK

Basketball

1946-1950

When Vanderbilt University made a decision in the mid-1940s to put more resources into its basketball program, Bob Polk was hired as head coach and his first move was to offer West End High School star Billy Joe Adcock a scholarship. The rest is history; Adcock became a star on the national level and Vanderbilt’s program became one of the best in the Southeastern Conference. Billy Joe remains very popular with Vanderbilt fans, receiving tremendous support in the Hall of Fame’s nomination process.

First basketball scholarship recipient ever at Vanderbilt
First player to score 1,000 career points at Vanderbilt
Team captain 1949-50
Set school’s single season scoring record (376)
All-SEC three years (1948-50)
School’s first basketball All-American (1950)
Won eight letters at Vanderbilt, four in basketball and four in baseball
1999 SEC Legend
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (2002)
Metro Nashville Public Schools Sports Hall of Fame (2006)