Dalton State College – home of the Roadrunners – announced this week that the road in front of the Dalton Convention Center has been named the Tony Ingle Parkway, in honor of the late champion basketball coach. The school also announced the Tony Ingle Memorial Basketball Scholarship – made possible, in part, by Coach Ingle’s childhood friend, Lamar McClure, president and CEO of Escho.
Coach Ingle retired in 2018, and passed away Jan. 18, 2021 due to COVID-19 complications. Because of COVID restrictions, a remembrance for him was put on hold until this week when the city of Dalton and Dalton State College came together to host an event in celebration of Coach Ingle’s contributions to the community.
Tony Ingle loved Dalton through and through. He was born in Dalton, grew up in the government housing projects of Dalton, and played at the college level for the Roadrunners. Later, he coached the Roadrunners to the NAIA National Championship in 2015, and served as their head coach for six years.
Tony Ingle is the only coach in Georgia state history to be named Coach of the Year at the high school, junior college and collegiate levels. He holds the most wins in the history of Kennesaw State University’s basketball program.
Prior to coaching in Dalton, Coach Ingle was an interim head basketball coach at Brigham Young University. He also worked part-time as a scout for the Utah Jazz.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Phil Smartt, communications director for the Chattanooga stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “Tony Ingle coached for 44 years. But, for a lifetime, he followed The Lord. He served The Lord freely, giving of his time and talents to help others. Tony Ingle was a blessing to his community, church and family. He was a friend to everyone. We thank the city of Dalton for helping to shape and make the man. And we join with all in celebrating the life and legacy of Tony Ingle.”
The Georgia General Assembly also passed a resolution earlier this year honoring the memory of Coach Ingle.