Edwin Nixon joined the Navy in 1945 after he graduated from high school in Springfield, Ore., and enrolled at Howard Payne in 1946 after his discharge. He was a four-year track letterman in the pole vault and co-captain of the team in his senior year. After graduation, he moved to Midland to work in the Midland Independent School District. He spent 30 years as a teacher and track coach and another 10 years as assistant athletic director. His cross-country teams at Midland won five state championships, and his track and field athletes won seven state titles. In 2007, Midland ISD named its new $2 million track in his honor. He retired to East Texas in 1992 and died in 2023.