North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame
Ira DeFoor was the starting guard for the football team in 1941 and lettered in track and field from 1939 to 1941 before going on to earn his bachelor's degree and master's degree from North Texas State Teacher's College in 1948 and 1949, respectively.
In addition to serving as an instructor and assistant professor at North Texas, DeFoor was the athletic department's long-time equipment manager from 1948 to 1965 and received the Thirty-Five Year Service Award. DeFoor also served as the Director of Men's Activity Physical Education Classes (1953-69), the first person at the university to serve in the capacity, and the Director of Summer Health Education Workshops (1953-84). DeFoor was responsible for all high school football games and track meets scheduled in Fouts Field from 1951 to 1968.
He was presented with the College Football Centennial Award in 1969 and received the American National Red Cross Recognition Award in 1979. Following his playing career at North Texas, DeFoor served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946.