Former Union coach, athletic director dies

JACKSON, Tenn. — Former Union University coach and athletic director David Blackstock died Wednesday morning, sports information director Steven Aldridge confirmed.

David Blackstock

Blackstock, a Jackson native, graduated from Union University in 1964, but returned in 1973 as the school’s athletic director. Blackstock stayed in that role for 34 years.

He also coached the women’s basketball team from 1981 until 1998, taking the team to a NAIA National Title in 1998. Blackstock was also named NAIA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in 1998.

Blackstock was a co-head coach of the Union baseball team from 1975 until 1985. In 1983, the team placed third in the NAIA World Series. He stepped in to coach two years with the softball team in 2006 and 2007.

Blackstock has been inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the Jackson-Madison County Hall of Fame, and the Union University Sports Hall of Fame.

The court of Fred DeLay Gymnasium was named for him in 2010, according to a news release from Union University.

“David Blackstock is among the brightest stars in the constellation known as Union University,” Union President Samuel “Dub” Oliver said. “He was a coach, teacher, mentor, leader, father and friend to thousands. Those thousands have influenced hundreds of thousands of others, and that legacy will continue to expand until Christ returns.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial contributions be directed to the Blackstock Family Fund at Union University, the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home or to Englewood Baptist Church.