Former Andalusia High School standout defensive back Ricky Kale will be among the inductees into the 2015 AHS football Hall of Fame on Aug. 15.

 

Kale excelled at several sports during his tenure at Andalusia High School between the years of 1964-1967.

 

He lettered three years in football and baseball, and was also a member of the track team.

 

During his senior year, Kale was named “Best Back” on the AHS squad, was named to the All-Conference football team, made All-Star teams in both football and baseball and finished fourth in the state in pole-vaulting.

“It’s a great honor,” Kale said about being named to the 2015 AHS Hall of Fame class. “It’s something you always dream about growing up, to be in the Hall of Fame at the school you went to. I guess it shows I must have done something right way back then.”

 

Along with being an outstanding defensive back, Kale also caught 21 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, and ran the ball 15 times for 90 yards.

 

After graduating from AHS, Kale went on to play college football for Memphis State (now University of Memphis).

 

In his freshman season at Memphis, Kale played split end and saw limited action as a defensive back. He finished the season with 251 receiving yards, and also had three interceptions.

 

Kale switched to just defensive back his sophomore season. He spent the season as a backup, but did finish the season with an interception.

 

His senior season, Kale switched positions for the third time, but found himself a home as the Tigers’ monsterman. Monsterman is hybrid position that calls for qualities of both a linebacker and defensive back, according to the 1971 Memphis State football guide. During the season, Kale tied for the team lead in tackles with 60 and led the team in interceptions with five. Kale was also an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 1970.

 

His senior season, he helped lead the Tigers two its third conference championship during his tenure, and also helped the Tigers reach its first major bowl appearance in school history. Kale also led the team in interceptions his senior season with Tigers. Kale was named Co-captain and earned his second honors on the MVC all-conference team. The Tigers went to the Pasadena Bowl, and defeated San Jose State 28-9.

 

Kale currently holds the Memphis record for fumbles recovered in a game, with three against Southern Mississippi. In that game, Kale played against three former Bulldog teammates in Larry Moulton, Kyle Gantt and Sam Johnson.

 

While at Memphis, Kale played for Billy Murphy, who one the most successful coaches in Memphis history. Murphy amassed 91 wins between 1958 and 1971 before becoming Memphis’s athletic director. The athletic complex at the University of Memphis still bares his name.