Yalobusha Historical Society Minutes – Nov. 17, 2011

Bob Tyler

The Yalobusha Histor-ical Society met Nov. 17 in the former Presbyterian Church in Coffeeville. There were 24 members and guests present.
The opening prayer was spoken by Ralph Litten.  Carl Vick welcomed members and guests. There was no business to discuss.  Carl reported that the YHS  now has a snack bar along with new cabinets, and a new refrigerator thanks to Julia Fernandez and her team of workers.
Opal Wright introduced the speaker, Bob Tyler.  A native of Water Valley, Tyler was a star athlete at Water Valley High School before entering military service. Following his term of duty at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Tyler achieved his college degrees at the University of Mississippi.  He began coaching in 1955 at Water Valley High and has coached football at Okolona, Senatobia and Meridian.  Tyler continued his career in the collegiate ranks as receivers coach on Johnny Vaught’s Ole Miss Rebel staff.  
He later worked as an assistant under Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama, before moving to Mississippi State as offensive coordinator. Tyler was named head coach of the Bulldogs in 1973.
Tyler is recipient of numerous Coach of the Year awards on the high school and college levels.  He, also, served as assistant and head coach of the Mississippi High School All-Star football games in 1966 and 1967.
He was named Deputy Director of Mississippi State Parks, Wildlife and Fisheries and served in that capacity from 1992 to 1996.  
He, also, served as head coach of Millsaps Majors from 2000 until his retirement in 2002.
His later life hobbies include attending antique fairs with his wife, Dale.
Presently, Bob is about “putting people together.” He is a consultant to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP).  He is also the director of the Yalobusha County Eco-nomic Development Dis-trict and a member of the Mississippi Export Assistance Council.
Coach Tyler emphasized the youth of Mississippi.  The MDWFP Foundation is making the Archery in Schools Program available to the schools across the state. This is a continuation of the on-going effort by the Foundation and the MDWFP to attract Miss-issippi youth in the out-of-doors and to support Mississippi’s schools in their effort to improve the physical condition of the youth and to provide youth with a pastime.
Coach noted that the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery was one of two fish hatcheries in the United States that has a visitor’s center.
He mentioned that the MDWFP operates 19 prime fishing lakes throughout the state, which offer outstanding fishing on 4,543 acres of picturesque waters.
In conclusion, Bob stated that Mississippi Outdoors can be seen on Mississippi Public Broad-casting on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Attending the meeting were Bobby Hutchins, Bobbie Hutchins, Cliff Chandler, Rachel Wiggins, Susan Roach Wiggins, Erin Wiggins, Carl Vick, Mae Vick, Dave Hovey, Emma Hovey, Francine Pinnix, Jimmie Pinnix, Gilbert Sullivan, Betty R. Miller, Bob Tyler, Opal Wright, Lawrence Litten, Bettie Litten, Tom Morman, Bobby Suratt, Harold Spraberry, Margaret D. Ross, Kay McCulley, Joy M. Tippit.