Murray State track legend Doty dies at 83

Doty was one of the student-athletes that helped push the Murray State track & field program to multiple championships from 1961-65. 

Out of St. Elmo High School near Vandalia in southern Illinois, Doty came from the Land of Lincoln to compete at Murray State, where he was one of the talented athletes that created a highly successful period for Coach Bill Fergerson. Doty was one of the fastest people in the world at his peak as a record-setting sprinter for the Racers in multiple events. 

By the time he was finished with collegiate competition, Doty owned 12 records at Murray State and in the Ohio Valley Conference. Doty was also part of two OVC team championships in 1962 and ‘63.

His records included the 60-yard dash (6.3), 100-yard dash (9.5) and 220-yard dash (21.2).  As a senior in 1965, Doty ran on the Racers’ outdoor 440-yard relay team that was ranked fourth in the nation with teammates Dennis Jackson, Jim Freeman and Charlie Allen. In the 70-yard dash in 1964, Doty recorded a 7.1 at the Mason-Dixon games in the same heat with Olympic gold medalist and Dallas Cowboys receiver Bob Hayes, who set a world record at 6.9. 

Doty’s love for track & field carried him to be head coach for Murray State track & field from 1995-02 and he later returned for one more season in 2004.

In 2007 Doty’s daughter, Jill Misner, was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame. When Bob Doty was honored in 2012, it marked the first father-daughter pair to be inducted at MSU. Doty also became a fellow hall of famer with Dennis Jackson (inducted 2007) and Jim Freeman (inducted 1977). Doty served on the MSU Hall of Fame committee for many years.

Coach Doty’s care for his student-athletes, his insight into the technical aspects of track & field and his ability to help them improve will never be forgotten at Murray State. Bob was a valued colleague of countless coaches and staff members, not only at Murray State, but also in the track & field community.

Graveside Services for Bob Doty will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Maplewood Cemetery in St. Elmo, Illinois with Rev. John Annable officiating.

Memorials may be made to Murray State University Athletics and will be accepted at the graveside service.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a memory or story of Bob visit meredithfh.com.