Verdie Cox
Inducted August 3, 1985

One of the most Versatile athletes in the history of Southern Illinois University, Verdie Cox continued that trait as a coach and teacher for 32 years at Michigan Tech. He was head basketball coach for 19 seasons, leading the Huskies to their best record in the school's history (17-5) and finished third in the NCAA Division II regional in 1962-63. Cox was also named Coach of the Year in the Northern Intercollegiate Conference that same season. He was tennis coach for 23 years, leading Tech to three NIC titles and was named NIC Coach of the Year four times.

Cox was the pro and manager at the Portage Lake Golf Course for 19 years and was the moving force behind the addition of the "back nine," transforming it into one of the Upper Peninsula's most challenging courses. He has also won several golf championships and served as a high school athletic director, football, and basketball coach before coming to Houghton in 1949.

Michigan Tech named the tennis courts at the Gates Tennis Center after Verdie due to his successful 32 year coaching career.

Cox passed away on November 22, 2016.