One of the cornerstones for some of the best Salem Wildcats football teams ever, J. Roy Fogle excelled at both the high school and collegiate level.

A 1948 graduate of Salem High School, Fogle’s last two football teams had a combined 14-4 record.

Fogle made most of his contributions on the line, where he usually played right guard.

As a junior in 1946 Fogle helped Salem to an 8-1 record and second place in the North Egypt Conference. His blocking helped the Wildcats average nearly 290 yards per game. Fogle received NEC Honorable Mention for his efforts.

As a senior Fogle helped the Wildcats finish 6-3 overall, but 6-0 in the NEC to win the league championship. That team averaged 28 points a game in its six NEC wins.

He helped form a potent offensive line with left tackle Kenny Burchett, left guard Bill Chance, center Glen Holler and right tackle Stanley Knight. Chance and Knight are already members of the SCHS Hall of Fame.

Fogle was an NEC Second Team choice as a senior.

Also while he was in high school Fogle was a member of two NEC track championship teams and one NEC basketball championship squad.

Fogle received a football scholarship to attend Arkansas State University, but he also competed in track and wrestling in college.

Despite the fact Salem did not have a wrestling team, Fogle made a quick splash in that sport in college. As a freshman Fogle won the Arkansas Collegiate State championship in the light heavyweight class.

In his sophomore season Fogle won the Junior National AAU fifth district tournament, which was held in New Orleans, in the 175-pound division.

Fogle was elected Arkansas State team captain prior to his junior season.

Fogle’s collegiate athletic career was interrupted by the Korean War. Fogle was stationed in Korea as a member of the First Marine Air Wing.

On the football field Fogle saw playing time on both sides of the ball. Fogle played both guard on offense and linebacker on defense.

One of Fogle’s biggest post-school honors came in 1978 when the National Association of Development Organization created an annual leadership award in Fogle’s name.

In 1988 Fogle became just the 12th individual to receive the Arkansas State Outstanding Alumnus Award.