March 8, 2000

TWO-TIME NCAA BASKETBALL SCORING CHAMPION
DARRELL FLOYD PASSES AWAY WEDNESDAY MORNING

GREENVILLE -- Furman University basketball All-American Darrell Floyd, who as a junior and senior led the NCAA in scoring, died this morning at Greenville Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. He was 67.

Floyd, who came to Furman in 1954 following an All-American season at Wingate (N.C.) Junior College, garnered first team All-America honors in 1955 & '56 after averaging a nation best 35.9 points per game as a junior and 33.8 points per game as senior. Combined with All-American teammate Frank Selvy who led the NCAA in scoring in 1953 & '54, the duo gave Furman a four-year lock on NCAA scoring crowns.

Floyd's 32.1 career scoring average ranks as the eighth highest career average in NCAA history and ahead of well-known basketball greats such as Elgin Baylor (31.3 ppg), Elvin Hayes (31.0 ppg), Larry Bird (30.3 ppg), Bill Bradley (30.2 ppg), and Wilt Chamberlain (29.9 ppg). He scored 2,281 points in his 71-game Furman career.

"I was so proud of him because he had a smile on his face right on up to the end," said Frank Selvy on Wednesday. "He was one of the best jump shooters I ever saw, and I only hope I can be as strong as he was. He was a very courageous person."

"Darrell Floyd was a great athlete, but more important, a man whose conduct and values enriched the lives of others," said Furman vice president for intercollegiate athletics Dr. John M. Block. "His love for and support of Furman University continued to his last breath, and he will always remain an inspiration to those who seek excellence."

A native of Thomasville, N.C., Floyd twice earned Southern Conference and South Carolina Player-of-the-Year honors, as well as league athlete of the year accolades during his three-year Paladin tenure. He scored a career high 67 points against Morehead State on Jan. 2, 1955, and later that season tallied 56 points in a 124-87 triumph over Clemson. The 67-point performance against Morehead State ranks as the ninth highest single game scoring total in NCAA history, and his 56-point performance against Clemson still stands as a Tiger opponent record. In all Floyd topped the 40-point plateau 15 times during his career.

"Our entire basketball program is saddened by the news of Darrell Floyd's passing," said Furman head basketball coach Larry Davis. "He was one of the greatest players in our history and had been a good friend to our basketball program in the short time we've been here. He always went out of his way to help and support us, and we will certainly miss his presence."

After graduating from Furman in 1956 with a B.A. degree in health and physical education, Floyd was drafted by the United States Army and also by the NBA's St. Louis Hawks. Following a two-year stint in the Army, Floyd's draft rights were traded to the Cincinnati Royals but he never came to terms with the Royals. He returned to South Carolina and enjoyed a successful career in private business and as an entrepreneur.

A member of South Carolina, Wingate College, and National Junior College Athletic Association Halls-of-Fame, Floyd was a charter inductee into Furman's Athletic Hall-of-Fame in 1981. In 1998 he was named to the Southern Conference's 75-Year Anniversary Team. He is one of only four players in Furman basketball history to have his jersey (No. 33) retired.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Kay, and three daughters, Diane Floyd Odom and Nancy Floyd Turner, both of Greenville, Elizabeth Shelton Floyd of Nashville, Tenn., and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Greenville with graveside services to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Darrell Floyd Memorial Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Greater Greenville, P.O. Box 2304, Greenville, S.C. 29602-2304.