Hootie was born at Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa on September 2, 1933, to Tuscaloosa natives Ella Mae Channell and Cecil Wayne Ingram. He became a three-sport star at Tuscaloosa High School, and after graduating in 1951, he accepted a scholarship to play for the Crimson Tide. As he often remembered, “They didn’t have to recruit me.” During his sophomore season he set a record for ten interceptions in a single season, an Alabama program and SEC record that still stands today. As a baseball player he was voted All-SEC second baseman for the Tide. Hootie graduated with a BS degree in Physical Education and a Masters in Education from The University of Alabama.
In 1955 he married Mary Antoinette (Toni) Snider of Tuscaloosa, and they had three children during the next eight years: Robin, Cecil III, and Lane. Hootie coached at Manatee County High School in Bradenton, FL, Brookwood High School, and Tuscaloosa County High School in Alabama before moving into the college ranks. As a “college football family” they followed Hootie’s career making stops at Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, University of Georgia, and University of Arkansas. In 1970 he became the head coach at Clemson University.
After three seasons at Clemson, he accepted a position as the Associate Commissioner of the SEC, returning the family to Alabama. In 1981, he became Athletic Director at Florida State University. He returned to his alma mater in 1989 to serve as Athletic Director, a role he had prepared for his entire life. Following his retirement in 1995, Hootie enjoyed being with family, the company of lifelong friends and following Alabama athletics.
Hootie was a faithful Christian and was a member of many Baptist churches over the years. For the past 25 years he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday School Superintendent.
Hootie is survived by his wife of 69 years, Toni; children, Robin (Lynn) Smith, Cecil (Marilyn) Ingram, III and Lane (Joe) Hunt; grandchildren, Cile (Chris) Byrd, Lindsey Smith, Kara (Adrian) Matejka, Allison Ingram, Wayne (Tara) Ingram, and Cole (Brooke) Hunt, and great-grandchildren, Lyndsey, Emma Kate, Ella, and Martin.
Services will be held Saturday, May 11, at Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, AL with visitation from 10:00-11:15 followed by a memorial service.
Memorials may be made to: Cecil “Hootie” Ingram Endowed Football Scholarship http://uactf.org/ingram
Big Oak Ranch or the church of your choice.
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