UAFS Lions Coach Louis Whorton Hall of Fame
Fred Davis III, who is the younger brother of Greg Davis Sr., played basketball two seasons and also was instrumental in the integration of the school’s athletics program.
Davis III was recruited to play basketball at Westark College by Crowder. He played his freshman season for Crowder and his sophomore season for first-year coach Harold Callahan.
As a sophomore, Davis III led the Lions in rebounding and was the team’s second-leading scorer. He was named First-Team All-Ozark Conference and First-Team All-Bi-State Conference.
He went on to finish his collegiate basketball playing career at Northeastern State, graduating in 1972.
After college, Davis III began his career in education at Fort Smith’s Darby Junior High, where he coached basketball for two years. He moved to Fort Smith’s Northside High School, where he taught physical education and coached football. He left Northside in 1984 to become a teacher, coach and director of athletics at A. Maceo Smith High School in the Dallas Independent School District.
Davis III moved into school administration in 1999, serving as assistant principal at Samuell High School. He went on to become principal at John B. Hood Middle School before becoming principal at David W. Carter High School in 2011.
Under his leadership, David W. Carter High School drastically improved academically. It was there Davis III introduced his “No Bell” system, which has since been adopted by numerous schools in district.
Davis III, who retired in May of 2017 after 43 years in education, has been recognized for his team-building, research and leadership development skills, and he has played a vital role in helping students prepare to face the changes of an ever-changing global society.
