DePauw University

Acclaimed one of the most versatile athletes DePauw had produced, Messersmith won nine varsity letters-three each in football, basketball and baseball. A Rector Scholar, he was captain of the basketball team his senior year and in football was named an All-State end in 1927. He also won the Walker Cup as a senior. He coached briefly at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis after graduation then returned to his alma mater in 1930 to start a 15-year stretch as head baseball and assistant football and basketball coach and acting director of athletics. In 1945 he went to Southern Methodist University to become chairman of the health, physical education and recreation department. He held the post 25 years, becoming a leader in national and state health and physical education circles. He died in Dallas in 1977.