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Homer Davis Jr. never forgot the impact the City of Selma had on his life. Davis, who was inducted into the Alabama A&M Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 3 and said Selma opened the door for his success as a basketball player and basketball coach.

“First, I give thanks to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ because every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God,” Davis said.

At Selma University, Davis was a guard who averaged 20 points a game.  After a two-year playing career at Alabama A&M, Davis spent 15 years as an assistant coach at Selma University under John “Skin” Lewis.

“I thank my high school coach, Joseph Hendeson, who helped me get into Selma University,” Davis said. “I thank Wanda Tyler and Henderson for a recommendation letter. I thank Selma University Administrators, Faculty and staff for preparing me spiritually, physically and athletically. I thank my former teammates, head coach John Lewis and assistant coach George Franklin.”

Davis, a native of Columbus, Georgia, became a star point guard at Alabama A&M between 1974 and 1978. At Alabama A&M, Davis received Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament Most Valuable Player, Student Government Association Outstanding Athlete of the Year, Athletic Booster Club Good Sportsman Award and SIAC Division I All-Conference, all in consecutive years from 1974 to 1976.

“I thank Alabama A&M University’s Hall of Fame committee and my son, Homer Davis III for selecting me,” Davis said. “I thank all of the Alabama A&M coaches.”

The success led to Davis becoming one of the greatest high school coaches in Alabama at R.C. Hatch High School in Uniontown. Davis won three straight Class 2A state championships in 2006, 2007, 2008, posting a stellar record of 268-87. Overall, he won 451 games.

Selma High girls’ basketball coach and Athletic Director Willie Morgan said Davis played a big role in his career. Morgan worked under Davis at R.C. Hatch and eventually became the girls’ head coach at R.C. Hatch.

“Coach Davis has had a very influential impact on my career,” Morgan said. “He has given me great advice that I sill use to this day. He’s a mentor and father figure to me.”