
- Name
- Mulford Davis
- Position
- Forward
- Class
- Senior
- Hometown (Last School)
- Elwood, IN (High)
- Ht
- 6'1"
- Wt
- 185
- Seasons
- 1942-43, 1945-46, 1946-47
- Birthday
- February 10, 1921
Mulford Davis was born Mulford Ray Davis on February 10, 1921, in Orestes, Indiana to Charles Raymond Davis and Fannie Myrtle (White) Davis. He was nicknamed “Muff.”
Davis was a 1939 graduate of Elwood High School and later graduated from the University of Kentucky where he received a full basketball scholarship.
At Elwood High School, where he graduated in 1941, he was the Central Indiana Conference’s leading scorer for three years and held the junior high record for points in a single game with 51. It’s a moment he remembers because of the “state headlines” he received in the days that followed the feat.
He was a member of the 1941 Indiana Basketball All-Star Team, the first selection for Elwood, after being the program’s leading scorer for all four years.
In college, he played basketball for legendary coach, Adolf Rupp for three varsity seasons, playing in the NCAA tournament and helping the Wildcats to consecutive conference titles. His college years were interrupted by World War II as he proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 where he saw North Africa, Italy, and France as an Army infantryman. He would later return to Lexington to finish his degree and return to the Wildcats for his final two seasons. He scored 54 points in the 17 games in which he played. Mulford had the second-highest average on the team of goals attempted and made, with a percentage of .387, being second only to Line’s .41 average of shots made.
Muff was known as an accomplished basketball player and remained a sports fan all of his life – especially the sport of basketball. He married Martha L. Myers on September 7, 1946, and they shared 74 years of marriage together. Muff and Martha lived in Frankton where they raised their family and were active in the community. Muff retired in 1976 as the Principal of Highland High School in Anderson after 12 years in the position. He also formerly taught history and drivers education at Frankton High School for many years. While working at Frankton High School, he was honored to serve as head basketball coach at the school for 15 years in addition to coaching track, cross-country, and baseball. Muff was a devoted member of the Frankton Christian Church where he served in many capacities. He was also a charter member of the Frankton Lions Club. Muff was honored to be inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. His dedication to teaching and coaching impacted the lives of countless students and athletes during his career, and he was blessed to stay in contact with many students through the years.
Davis passed away Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the age 99.
