History of Troy University in Timeline

Troy University, established in 1887 in Troy, Alabama, began as Troy State Normal School, part of the Alabama State University System. It's now the flagship of the Troy University System. Initially created as one of many 'normal schools' to train teachers during the late 19th century expansion of public education, Troy University evolved from a teacher-training institution into a comprehensive state university, reflecting the broader transformation of normal schools into state colleges and universities during the 20th century.

1909: Troy State Normal School began its sports program

In 1909, Troy State Normal School began its sports program, when it fielded its first football team.

1909: Troy University began playing football

Troy University began playing football in 1909.

1929: Name change to Troy State Teachers College

In 1929, the name of the school was changed to Troy State Teachers College.

1930: Troy State Normal School moved to University Avenue location

In 1930, the Troy State Normal School moved from downtown Troy to its present location on University Avenue.

1931: Troy State Teachers College conferred its first baccalaureate degree

In 1931, Troy State Teachers College conferred its first baccalaureate degree.

1939: Establishment of the official marching band

In 1939, the official marching band of Troy University was established.

1957: Troy State College authorized to issue master's degrees

In 1957, the Alabama Board of Education adopted the name "Troy State College" and granted it the right to issue master's degrees.

1957: Name change to Troy State College and master's degree program authorization

In 1957, the legislature voted to change the name to Troy State College and to allow it to begin a master's degree program.

1962: Opening of Sartain Hall

In 1962, Sartain Hall, the university's longtime basketball and events facility, opened.

1963: Max Rafferty as the California Superintendent of Public Instruction

In 1963, Max Rafferty began his service as the California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

1965: "Sound of the South" Marching Band name

In 1965, the marching band of Troy University has been referred to as "Sound of the South".

1967: Name change to Troy State University

In 1967, the name of the college was changed to Troy State University.

1968: NAIA national football championship win

In 1968, Troy won the NAIA national football championship.

1971: Max Rafferty became Dean of Education Department

In 1971, Max Rafferty, the former California Superintendent of Public Instruction, became the dean of the education department at Troy University.

1979: Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors established

In 1979, the National Band Association established the Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors at Troy State University in Troy, Alabama.

1982: Max Rafferty death

In 1982, Max Rafferty, the former California Superintendent of Public Instruction, died while serving as the dean of the education department at Troy University.

1982: Formation of the Troy State University System

In 1982, the Troy State University System (now known as the Troy University System) was formed as the campuses in Dothan and Montgomery were granted independent accreditation status.

1984: NCAA Division II national football championship win

In 1984, Troy won the NCAA Division II national football championship.

1986: Troy wins Division II national championship in baseball

In 1986, the Troy University baseball team won the Division II national championship under the leadership of coach Chase Riddle, marking a significant achievement for the program.

1987: NCAA Division II national football championship win

In 1987, Troy won the NCAA Division II national football championship.

1987: Troy wins second Division II national championship in baseball

In 1987, the Troy University baseball team won its second Division II national championship under coach Chase Riddle, solidifying the team's dominance at the Division II level.

1990: Larry Blakeney served as head coach

Larry Blakeney served as head coach for 25 seasons between 1990 and the end of the 2014 season

January 12, 1992: Troy defeats DeVry University of Atlanta 258-141

On January 12, 1992, Troy defeated DeVry University of Atlanta by a score of 258–141, which is the highest-scoring game and highest score in NCAA basketball history.

1993: Troy University became a member of NCAA Division I athletics

In 1993, Troy University became a member of NCAA Division I athletics.

1995: Troy competes in NCAA Division One tournament

In 1995, Troy competed in the NCAA Division One tournament under head coach John Mayotte, marking a significant appearance in the program's history.

1997: Troy competes in NCAA Division One tournament

In 1997, Troy competed in the NCAA Division One tournament under head coach John Mayotte, furthering the program's presence at the Division One level.

1997: Troy University began offering online courses

In the Fall Semester of 1997, Troy University began offering online courses, becoming a leader in online education.

April 1998: Troy defeats #3 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide

In April 1998, Troy defeated the #3 nationally ranked University of Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 8–4 at Riddle-Pace Field, marking one of the baseball team's biggest victories.

1999: Troy ties NCAA Division I record for most hits in the 6th inning

In 1999, the Troy baseball program tied the NCAA Division I record for most hits in the 6th inning, with 14 hits in a 34–4 victory over Stetson, demonstrating the team's offensive power.

2001: Victory over Mississippi State

In 2001, Troy defeated Mississippi State at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi, by a score of 21–9, marking the Trojans' first victory over a BCS level program.

2003: Troy competes in the 2003 NCAA Tournament

In 2003, Troy competed in the NCAA Tournament in Nashville against Xavier University, after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference title, marking a significant achievement for the basketball program.

2003: Troy University women's soccer team begins

In 2003, the Troy University women's soccer team began its program, coinciding with the construction of the Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Stadium.

April 2004: "State" dropped from the university's name

In April 2004, "State" was dropped from the university's name to reflect the institution's new, broader focus.

April 16, 2004: Board of Trustees voted to change name to Troy University

On April 16, 2004, the board of trustees voted to change the name of the institution from Troy State University to Troy University.

December 30, 2004: First bowl game appearance

On December 30, 2004, the Trojan football team made its first bowl game appearance in the Silicon Valley Football Classic but lost to Northern Illinois, 34–21.

2004: Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference

In 2004, Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

2004: Troy participates in NIT

In 2004, Troy participated in the NIT, facing Niagara University. This appearance was a notable event in the university's basketball program history.

August 2005: Merger of Troy State University campuses into Troy University

In August 2005, Troy State University, Montgomery; Troy State University, Phenix City; Troy State University, Dothan; and Troy State University (main campus) merged under one accreditation to become Troy University. Prior to August 2005, each campus was independently accredited. The merger combined staff, faculty, and administrators into a single university.

August 2005: All Troy campuses unified under one accreditation

In August 2005, all Troy campuses were unified under one accreditation.

August 2005: Name change completed

In August 2005, the transition to the new name, Troy University, was completed.

2005: Joined the Sun Belt Conference for all other sports

In 2005, Troy joined the Sun Belt Conference for all other sports after joining the conference for football only in 2004.

2006: Won the Sun Belt Conference and New Orleans Bowl

In 2006, Troy won the Sun Belt Conference for the first time after defeating Middle Tennessee State. Troy represented the Sun Belt Conference in the 2006 New Orleans Bowl where the Trojans defeated the Rice Owls of Conference USA by a score of 41–17.

2006: Troy competes in NCAA Baseball Tournament

In 2006, the Troy Trojan baseball program, under the direction of coach Bobby Pierce, competed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, showcasing the team's competitiveness at the national level.

2007: Ben Mayworth wins national title

In 2007, Troy University calf roper Ben Mayworth won the national title in Casper, Wyoming, at the National Finals Collegiate Rodeo, marking a significant achievement for the university's rodeo program.

2007: Establishment of the Confucius Institute at Troy University

In 2007, the Confucius Institute at Troy University was established as a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.

2007: Troy competes in NCAA Baseball Tournament

In 2007, the Troy Trojan baseball program competed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament under the direction of head coach Bobby Pierce, continuing their streak of national-level competition.

2008: Don Maestri inducted into Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame

In 2008, coach Don Maestri was inducted into the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Dothan, Alabama, recognizing his contributions to the sport and his achievements at Troy University.

2009: Troy competes in CBI against College of Charleston

In 2009, the Trojans finished 3rd in the Sun Belt Conference and competed in the CBI against the College of Charleston, adding to the team's competitive record.

2010: Troy invited to play in NIT against Ole Miss

In 2010, after winning the Sun Belt regular-season title, the Trojans were invited to play in the NIT against Ole Miss, further showcasing their basketball program's success.

2010: Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Stadium renovated

In 2010, the Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Stadium, home to the Troy University women's soccer team, was renovated to include a press box for use by both the track and soccer teams.

2010: Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy formed

In September 2010, Troy University's Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy was formed as the result of a $3.6 million gift. The center is housed inside Bibb Graves Hall.

2010: Participation in the New Orleans Bowl

Troy participated in the 2010 New Orleans Bowl where the Trojans routed Ohio by a score of 48–21.

2013: Don Maestri Retirement

In 2013, head coach Don Maestri retired after 31 years leading the Troy University men's basketball team. His retirement marked the end of a significant era, as he was the winningest coach in the school's history.

2014: Larry Blakeney served as head coach

Larry Blakeney served as head coach for 25 seasons between 1990 and the end of the 2014 season.

2015: Dr. Scott Beaulier leaves position as executive director

In 2015, Dr. Scott Beaulier stepped down from his position as the executive director of the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy, a role he had held since 2010.

2016: Main campus enrollment

As of the fall of 2016, the main campus enrollment at Troy University is 7,911 students.

January 2017: Ged O'Connor hired as head coach

In January 2017, Ged O'Connor was hired as the head coach of the Troy University women's soccer team, becoming the seventh head coach in the program's history.

2017: The Tropolitan ranked as one of the best college newspapers

In 2017, The Tropolitan was ranked as the #6 Best College Newspaper by the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC).

2017: TrojanVision ranked as #1 Best College TV Station

In 2017, TrojanVision was ranked as the #1 Best College TV Station by the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC).

2018: Troy University awarded NIST grant to establish Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences

In 2018, Troy University was awarded a $3.2 million grant from NIST to establish the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences, a research facility for recycling plastic materials.

2018: Troy University Ranked as One of the "Most Innovative Schools"

In spring 2018, Troy University was ranked #19 among the "Most Innovative Schools" in U.S. News & World Report's annual peer assessment survey.

2019: Greek life involvement at Troy University

In 2019, approximately 10% of undergraduate men and 13% of undergraduate women were active in Troy's Greek system.

August 26, 2020: Bibb Graves Hall renamed John Robert Lewis Hall

On August 26, 2020, the Troy University Board of Trustees voted to rename Bibb Graves Hall in honor of John Lewis.

2020: Kayla Saager joins the Trojans

In 2020, Kayla Saager joined the Troy University women's soccer team as an assistant coach, focusing on coaching the attacking side of the team.

2021: National Defense Authorization Act

In 2021, the National Defense Authorization Act would remove the university's eligibility to receive defense funding for having the institute starting in October of that year, which led to the closing of the Confucius Institute.

2021: Nicole Waters enters her third season

In the fall of 2021, Nicole Waters will enter her third season with the Troy University women's soccer program as an assistant coach.

2022: Student enrollment

As of Fall 2022, there are 14,881 students enrolled at Troy University.

2023: Participation in the Birmingham Bowl

In 2023, Troy most recently participated in the Birmingham bowl in Birmingham, Alabama, which the Trojans lost to Duke 10–17.

2023: Closure of Confucius Institute

Troy closed the Confucius Institute in March of 2023 due to the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act removing the university's eligibility to receive defense funding.