Elder was head basketball coach at Montevallo from 1974 to 1985 and compiled an overall record of 198-127 (.610). While at UM he was able to claim the distinction of being the only head coach at an Alabama four-year college who held a doctorate degree. He received his doctorate after completing educational administration requirements at the University of Alabama.
Before coming to UM, he was head coach for seven years at Northeast Junior College in Rainsville, Alabama, where he compiled an overall record of 118-59. Elder's first UM team won the 1975 NAIA District 27 Championship and attended the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.. He was named "Alabama Small College Coach of the Year" for his accomplishments that year.
He took four of his teams to the district playoffs won 10 invitational tournaments and two Southern States Conference tournaments. Three of his Montevallo cagers received All-American honors: Gerald Douglass ('75 2nd Team), Wylie Tucker ('78 Hon. Mention) and Joe Hall ('83 Hon. Mention).
After leaving UM, Elder accepted the positions of Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at The University of Mobile, positions he still enjoys.
Elder was born December 17,1941 in Birmingham and later moved to Bucyrus, Ohio, where he earned varsity letters in baseball, basketball and football at Bucyrus High School.
At Cedarville (Ohio) College he won two varsity basketball letters and one each in baseball and tennis. He transferred to Howard College (Samford) where he earned a B.S. and two letters each in basketball and tennis. He received his M.S. from the University of Tennessee in 1965.
Elder and his wife, the former Vivian Jane Logan of Birmingham, have two daughters.
