Although he is being inducted as an honorary member of the Hall of Champions, the late Ralph Davis certainly had "maroon and white" bloodlines. Davis came to West Texas State Teachers College from Wichita Falls High School, in the fall of 1939. He got involved in sports by serving as a student manager for basketball and football.
The 1943 "LeMirage" yearbook states, "Very capable student manager is R.D. A swell sport, he keeps the athletics right in the groove.
"Hobby is getting people to `Look at the birdie, now'."
During his junior and senior years Davis was elected "Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities." He graduated from WT in May 1943, and on May 22, 1943, he married the former Ellen Josephine Reynolds in Dalhart, Texas.
He was a major in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, and then started his business career with Don McMillan Ford Company in Amarillo and then the Loewenstern Company. In 1975, he formed his own successful real estate company, Ralph G. Davis Inc. Realtor - the same year he was named "Realtor of the Year."
Despite his busy work schedule with the Amarillo Board of Realtors, Davis found time to serve as an athletic booster for his alma mater.
He served for many years as the secretary-treasurer for the Cager Club and was an active member of the Quarterback Club.
Davis and his wife were seen at every home basketball game seated in the "Technical Towel" section - wearing striped referee's shirts and waving towels -at the Amarillo Civic Center to remind the game officials about the difference between a block and a charge.
He was the consummate booster of Buff athletics in financial support, attendance, and in anyway that he could support the programs.
