Irby Camp, Sr.

Organized football came to Marshall County in 1907 at the Seventh District Agricultural School, now Albertville High School. In 1957, a group of 20 Albertville football enthusiasts met to choose the All-Time Greatest Aggie football players of the first 50 years. To this date, ten of that famed eleven have been inducted into the Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame: Marion Abercrombie (also known as “Abbie” and “Junior”), Joe Roberts, Ralph Reed, Neal Reed, Frank Reed, Travis Hunt, Jackie Morgan, Jimmy Alford, John Thomas, and Ed NeSmith. Tonight the final member of that team, Irby Gene Camp, Sr., joins his teammates.

Ed NeSmith, the QB on that all-time team stated, “Irby was one of the most talented athletes to ever play for AHS. He earned four varsity letters in three different sports, football, basketball, and baseball. Watching him play when I was an 11-12 year old youngster left a big impression on me. He was a running back that ‘checked all of the boxes’ running, passing, blocking, punting, tackling, and toughness.”

MCSHOF inductee and Sportswriter for the Birmingham News, Albertville native Hal Hayes, wrote “Irby fought like a Bengal Tiger to escape any would-be tacklers who tried to deny him. He was like an elusive shadow that darts and dives and can never be trapped. He ran, passed, and punted with an ability and grace seldom seen at the high school level. The 6-foot-1, 187 pound tailback earned All-State Honors two years in 1947 and 48.”

Irby Gene Camp was born on May 11, 1931, in Albertville to Will and Gladys Doster Camp. He had a brother, Larry Don, and a sister, Virginia. Raised mostly by his grandfather, Fred Doster, Irby had daily chores working on the family farm near Albertville. In addition to his chores, Irby started playing sports as a seventh grader at AHS. He became a 4-year starter for the Aggies in three sports, football, basketball, and baseball. As a Junior and Senior, Irby played for Marshall County and Southern Mississippi Halls of Fame Coach Thomas “Scoop” Howard. Irby became an outstanding running back and a great punter. He once punted a 70-yard “quick kick.” Following an outstanding high school career, he signed a scholarship to play football at Southern Mississippi. He played tailback for the Golden Eagles until he received a career-ending knee injury his freshman year.

Following the injury, Irby Gene returned to Albertville to work on the family farm. He was also asked to assist the new Head Football Coach, MCSHOF inductee Vernon Wells, and junior high coach James “Puny” Jolley with football, basketball, and baseball. He also coached youth league football and Little League baseball and was Vice-President of the League for many years. In 1989, Camp was honored by his hometown at the AHS Cavalcade of Sports Banquet, held at the Albertville Recreation Center.

In the 1960s, Irby opened the iconic “Cricket Hall” on Highway 431 selling sporting goods, hunting equipment, and camping supplies. He operated that store and was a constant figure around AHS sports until he passed away on March 7, 1998. Irby and his wife, Betty Harris Camp, had three children; daughters Terry and Tresia and a son, Irby Gene, Jr., who was an outstanding center and linebacker for the Aggies and also played baseball. The Camps have five grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.