Former Una Sportsman's Club President Grady Liles Passes Away

Feb. 27, 2013

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - University of North Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame member and long-time UNA Sportsman's Club President Grady Liles passed away Tuesday evening. He was 81. A long-time Lion fan and supporter, Liles served as president of the UNA Sportsman's Club for more than 20 years, taking the lead in building a strong support organization for the UNA athletic department.For his support, he was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1998. Liles was the driving force behind bringing the NCAA Division II Football National Championship Game to the Shoals area in 1985 and served as Chairman of the Shoals National Championship Committee for a quarter century. He was also the creator of the Harlon Hill Trophy - the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year award, named for the former Lion star. It has been presented for each of the last 27 years as part of the national championship game celebration. Liles was selected 1987 Shoals Citizen of the Year and was involved in numerous civic activities and organizations in the Shoals area. He also holds membership in the Lauderdale County Sports Hall of Fame. Funeral arrangements are still pending but, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Grady Liles Endowed Scholarship for UNA Athletics. Donations can be made by contacting the UNA Foundation at (256) 765-4670 or at UNA Box 5075, Florence, AL 35632.