Chauncey R. DeVault

Chauncey DeVault, a charter member of the Emory & Henry Sports Hall of Fame, was an All-State center under Coach “Pedie” Jackson. DeVault served as captain of the squad his senior year.

In addition to football, DeVault was a member of the Blue Key National Honor Society and president of Phi Pi Alpha social fraternity.

Following graduation, DeVault earned his Master’s Degree in School Administration from Columbia University with additional graduate work at the University of Virginia. DeVault spent his career teaching, coaching, and administrating at various schools in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. He also opened a sporting goods store in Bristol, where he spent the latter part of his life.

Though he earned recognition for his stalwart defense on the gridiron, DeVault also had a passion for baseball. In 1947, he became president of the Appalachian League of Baseball and held the position for the longest tenure in office of any league president in all of professional baseball. He received the prestigious and honorable George M. Trautman Award, named in honor of the former commissioner of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, two months before passing away.

DeVault was also actively involved as a leader for community of Bristol, serving as president of the the Boys Club and the Lions Club, and as chairman of the board of education. In recognition of his contributions, DeVault was honored by the Virginia Senate, the Appalachian League, and the Bristol Boys Club.

Chauncey R. Devault died on February 2, 1980. Despite playing collegiate football rather than baseball at his alma mater, Emory & Henry dedicated C.R. “Chauncey” DeVault Memorial Baseball Field in his honor.