T.E. ‘Cotton’ Rogers
Class of 1992
T.E. “Cotton” Rogers: A Huntsville Basketball Legend
When T.E. “Cotton” Rogers arrived in Huntsville in 1954 to consider coaching basketball at the newly established Butler High School, he stumbled upon a pivotal moment. During lunch at a local café, he overheard Huntsville High students confidently declaring that while Butler might beat them in football, it would never happen in basketball. For Rogers, that challenge sealed the deal.
Born in 1920 in Wedowee, Alabama, and raised on Sand Mountain, Rogers was an All-State basketball standout at Pisgah High School. He earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama, but his studies and athletic career were interrupted by World War II. Serving four years in Europe with the U.S. Army, Rogers returned home to complete his degree in education, setting the stage for his remarkable coaching career.
Rogers began at Southern Union Junior College, where he achieved a stellar 50-10 record in just two years. When he accepted the job at Butler High School, he brought that same winning spirit, transforming the basketball program into one of Alabama’s most successful. Over 18 seasons, his teams achieved a 376-122 record, winning seven Tennessee Valley Conference championships, six district championships, and earning four state tournament appearances.
The highlight of Rogers’ career came in 1966, when his Butler team, featuring Randy Hollingsworth and Danny Treadwell, captured the state championship. This team was historic, not only for its success but also for being the first racially integrated team to win a title in Alabama High School Athletic Association history. Treadwell, a trailblazer as the first Black basketball star at a previously all-white school in Alabama, helped cement Rogers’ legacy as a leader who embraced change and united communities through sports.
Despite his on-court achievements, Rogers remained humble, crediting his players and saying, “All I had to do was drive the bus.” His passion for education extended beyond coaching, as he later served as D.O. coordinator at Johnson High School after retiring from coaching in 1972.
Cotton Rogers passed away in 1986, a day shy of his 66th birthday, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Huntsville’s basketball history. His wife, Eleanor, and their three children—Walter, Rodney, and Madonna—carry forward his memory in the Huntsville area, where his influence endures.
This content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model, based on original stories written the year of the honoree's induction by Board members and other contributors. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. Please contact the Hall of Fame with corrections.
