Nathan Dougherty

Bio

Nathan Dougherty played guard for Tennessee 1906-09 and was captain of the football, basketball, and track teams. He was 6-2, 185-pounds and his nickname was "Big'n." At the time he played, the Vols had not achieved greatness or national recognition. UT went a pedestrian 16-16-5 during his era. He graduated with honors and acquired two more degrees while teaching engineering classes at Cornell University and George Washington University (1911-16). He returned to the University of Tennessee to teach in 1916 and was dean of the engineering college 1940-56. A building at the engineering college was named for him in 1964. Dougherty served on the university's athletic council 40 years and was its chairman most of that time. He was president of the Southern Conference, a founder of the Southeastern Conference, acting commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, and vice-president of the NCAA. He was born in a log cabin at Hales Mill, Virginia, March 23, 1886, and died at age 91 in 1977.