Elvis Green (2004) - Hall of Fame - Murray State University Athletics

Elvis Green

Induction:
2004

Elvis Green – Rifle Coach, 1981-2000

Green served as the Murray State head rifle coach from 1981-99, winning NCAA National Championships in 1985 and 1987. Two other times – 1986 and 1988 – the Racers finished the season as national runners-up. Green’s teams qualified for the NCAA Championships 18 consecutive years and he coached five individual air rifle national champions and an individual smallbore national champion. Green mentored five Olympians (including 1984 Gold Medalist Pat Spurgin), 49 first-team All-American, 49 second-team All-Americans and 14 honorable mention All-Americans. He also helped organize and host six NCAA Rifle Championships (1984, 1984. 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998).

Green was named OVC Coach of the Year three times (1994, 1995, 1999) and NCAA Coach of the Year in 1997. His teams claimed OVC Championships seven consecutive years from 1994 through 1999. Green was a member of the NCAA Rifle Committee from 1987-93, serving as chair of the committee for one year. Green has received numerous awards and honors, including the National Rifle Association (NRA) Shooting Sports Service Award (1986) and the NRA Distinguished College Coach award (1999). He was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2004.

"I had a great run at Murray State and got to do a whole lot of things," Green said. "Coaching a team was the furthest thing from my mind when I arrived at MSU."

"It was a great time at Murray State and never thought I'd receive the honors that I have," Green added. "I guess this is what happens when you surround yourself with great people, I worked with and under some great people."

Green was respected and loved by his student-athletes and he shares this honor with them.

"It's amazing, that you have kids from all over the USA come to Murray State and their parents gave me so much trust during the time I was in charge of them," Green said. "I had great student-athletes and great parents that supported us."

Green is a 26-year veteran of the United States Army and retired as Sergeant-Major. He arrived at Murray State in 1978 and worked in the ROTC program. He has been awarded numerous military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star (with oak leaf cluster and V device), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 1^st oak leaf cluster), Good Conduct Medal eight award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze star and Vietnamese Staff honor medal second class.

He lives with his wife Anneliese in Huntland, Tenn. The couple has three grown children and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.