Orvis Utopia Sigler Jr. (June 22, 1922 – December 31, 2016) was an American college basketball and baseball coach, known for his tenures as head coach at Army and Centenary.

Orvis Sigler
Biographical details
Born(1922-06-22)June 22, 1922
Springfield, Missouri, U.S.
DiedDecember 31, 2016(2016-12-31) (aged 94)
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Playing career
1946–1947Southwest Missouri State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
?–?West Plains HS
?–1953Southwest Missouri State (assistant)
1953–1954Missouri Valley
1954–1958Army
1958–1968Centenary
Baseball
1972–1973Centenary

Sigler served in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his return, he studied and played college football at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State). Following his graduation, Sigler turned to coaching.[1] Sigler started coaching at West Plains High School in West Plains, Missouri. He then went on to serve as an assistant to head coach Bob Vanatta at his alma mater, Southwest Missouri State. After a year as head coach at Missouri Valley College, he was named his former boss Vanatta's successor as head coach at Army.[2]

After four seasons and a 53–56 record, Sigler left West Point in 1958 to become head coach and athletic director at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana.[3] In ten seasons from 1958 to 1968, Sigler compiled a record of 122–134 with the Gentlemen. He also served as the school's head baseball coach for the 1972 and 1973 seasons.

Sigler died on December 31, 2016, at his home in Shreveport.[4]

References

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  1. ^ May, Gerry (June 5, 2015). "Father's spirit kept Orvis Sigler flying in World War II". ktbs.com. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  2. ^ "Orvis Sigler named coach at West Point". Moberly Monitor-Index. August 9, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved January 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "West Point cage coach Orvis Sigler moves to Centenary". York Gazette and Daily. March 27, 1958. p. 15. Retrieved January 10, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Orvis Sigler, longtime leader of Shreveport's sports scene, dies". ksla.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
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