The Board of Regents approved the resumption of intercollegiate athletics with the basketball season of 1945; football returned in 1946. Although the new Memorial Stadium was not ready for the first games, by November, the Lumberjacks were playing in a new stadium under a new coach, Ted Jefferies. Jefferies was to lead SFA to an overall winning grid record of 41-40-3. In 1956, Harold Fischer replaced Jefferies as football coach. In the next six years, SFA enjoyed only one winning season, a 6-4 record in 1957. The stadium, however, did become truly home; on May 6, 1950, SFA purchased the Memorial Stadium and associated athletic complex from the city for a price of $103,000.

The basketball coach was Stan McKewen since Shelton had resigned to become Dean of Men. Coach Glen Rose, taking over from McKewen for the 1948-49 seasons, led the Jacks to their first Lone Star Conference championship since 1941. At the Booster Banquent, Rose gave the credit to the team, to the school, and to the townspeople, but those at the banquet would not let him pass the credit. One member of the team said, “After a year of play under Coach Rose, I can see how little I knew about the game at that time. He taught us those little things - those little but important tricks that you need to win. We think he is the grandest coach in the United States.” The win in 1949, when coupled with the complaints by students about the inadequacy of Aikman Gym, led to some long promised changes.

Glen Rose remained the coach until 1952, but he did not have another championship season. The big news for both fans and the team in 1951 was the move into the New Gymnasium [after 1964 Shelton]. A new gym had been promised since the early 1930s but had been delayed because of the Depression and the War. Aikman had been remodeled several time, but it was dark and did not accommodate many fans. The new gym seemed like heaven. John O. Stephens coached the Jacks for the next seven seasons, from 1952 to 1959. His record, which did not include but one title in 1955-56, was nonetheless impressive–125-50.

By specific policy passed by the Board of Regents, the goals of the athletic programs of the Teachers College of the 1950s were non-professionally oriented. The policy read: “It be recorded that the Board of Regents is firmly behind the schools and that the coaching staff at the various institutions is an intricate part of the faculty and are important to the proper education of students and that the Presidents be informed that it is the policy of the Board that no coach should be employed that does not teach and their salary should come out of instructional funds.” This policy would change in the future once SFA got its own Board of Regents. [JLJ]

In a 1953 "Sports Preview" in The Pine Log, an interesting profile appeared. The man featured is Chairman of the SFA Board of Regents in 1998.

"Sports Preview"

"Making a college basketball team in these days of high-pressure play comes as a major accomplishment. But when the player makes the grade without the benefit of having played high school ball, the achievement takes on even greater significance.

"Such is the case of Murray Shaw, Stephen F. Austin State College cager from Texarkana.

"Shaw came to the Lumberjack fold last fall fresh out of Texarkana junior college. And his hustle and fine work on the backboards enabled the 20-year-old sophomore to earn a letter his initial season here.

"While Shaw played a lot of basketball in junior college and with independent teams, he did not participate in Texarkana high school where he graduated in 1948.

"Speaking of Shaw's making the college grade without high school experience, SFA Coach John O. Stephens says: "If Shaw is a typical example of this kind of player, "I'll take them every time.

"The record backs up the Coach's statement. In 21 games, although playing mostly as a reserve, Shaw hit 33 per cent of his field goal shots and 57 per cent of his free throws-both mighty respectable averages. Moreover, the 6'4" forward grabbed 87 rebounds off the backboards to rank fifth on the team in this department.

"In addition to basketball, Shaw takes to baseball and softball. Wielding a big bat and playing a good defensive game, he starred in the Nacogdoches County Softball League this spring.

"The son of Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Shaw, the SFA athlete points to the 1953-54 basketball campaign at SFA, hopeful of making the starting lineup. Right now, his chances of doing just that seem good."

The Pine Log, 7 June 1953