Paul Christman
A graduate of Langston High School, Paul Eugene Christman returned to Langston to teach and coach. He was instrumental in inspiring many students to reach their full potential in life as he served as a coach, teacher and assistant principal in the system from 1965-1976.
Christman was awarded a purple heart during his service in the 92nd Infantry Division in Italy and was a commissioned major at the time of his death. Christman graduated from Knoxville College in 1940 and later went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Tennessee State University before returning to teach and coach at Langston in 1957.
During his time at Langston, he was the head football and boys and girls basketball coaches at from 1957 until the school closed in 1965. During his time in those positions, Christman led the Langston Tigers football team to a 50-15-5 record and the basketball team posted a 109-48 record.
In 1965, he became an assistant football coach and track coach at Science Hill High School. In 1973, Christman was appointed assistant principal at Science Hill High School. Today, there are remnants of Mr. Christman’s memory throughout our city as the Paul Christman Park on North Boone Street is named after him, and he has a monument dedicated to him that is touched by Science Hill football players as they exit on to Steve Spurrier Field.