Eugene Lambert (1998) - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Memphis Athletics

Eugene Lambert

Induction:
1998

Dr. Eugene Lambert came to then Memphis State College in the fall of 1951 and over the next five season, helped redefine Tiger basketball. Lambert had coached the University of Arkansas Razorback basketball team from 1943 until 1949 and had compiled a record of 113-60. Arkansas tied for first place in the Southwest Conference twice during his four seasons as head coach and the 1945 team played in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Final Four. In 1951, Lambert his Tiger team to a 25-10 record and an appearance in the NAIB Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. The Tigers’ John Wallisa became the first Tiger player ever drafted into the NBA. Lambert, who had a great eye for basketball talent, brought in such players as Forest Arnold and Win Wilfong to help Memphis stay in the national spotlight. Arnold became the school’s first All-American in 1954. Lambert, who again led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 1955-56, had a career coaching record of 87-45 at Memphis.