Hall of Fame
Letroy Gathen was a 1974 graduate who lettered four years in football. He broke racial barriers, becoming the first African-American to play football at Luxora High School in the northeast corner of Arkansas. He also played on the Arkansas All-Star football team in the summer of 1970. Following a remarkable high school career, he accepted a football scholarship at UAPB. Known for his blocking skills, the 5-foot-11, 250-pounder was a punishing runner from his fullback position. After graduating with a degree in health and physical education and a general science minor, he returned to Luxora and served as a science teacher and an assistant football coach while also coaching track and field. He later served as the school’s head football coach, becoming one of only three African-American head football coaches in Arkansas at that time. He also served as head track coach, assistant football coach and dean of students at Blytheville High School in northeast Arkansas. Additionally, he also was an assistant junior high principal at Blytheville and the executive director of support services for the Blytheville School District. He also spent a brief time as principal at Stuttgart Junior High School in Arkansas. He was a deacon at First Missionary Baptist Church in Blytheville, a member of the Mississippi County, Arkansas EOC Board of Directors, Blytheville Lions Club, Mississippi County representative for Mid-South Health Board and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
