Luther Davis “Sandy” Sandlin was born in Huntsville, Alabama to Hubert Arther and Mary Sandlin in 1905. While attending Chattanooga City High School, he played football and track. On August 23, 1935, Sandlin married Eleanor R. Rike, who was at the time secretary for Joe Engel, club president and scout for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Sandlin began his career with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1938, working as the team’s athletic trainer and traveling secretary. In the same year, Sandlin became an athletic trainer for the University of Chattanooga’s football team, the Moccasins. Sandlin rotated between these positions on a seasonal basis, working with University of Chattanooga during the academic year and with the Lookouts during their summer seasons.

During his long career with both the Lookouts and University of Chattanooga, Sandlin temporarily left both of his positions from 1943-1946, during which time he worked as a trainer for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the training staff. In 1943, the Lookouts team moved to Montgomery, Alabama under the new club name, the “Montgomery Rebels.” At the same time, due to the United States’ involvement in World War II, the University of Chattanooga temporarily disbanded their football programs for the 1943 and 1944 seasons from a lack of players. Following a successful telegram campaign by Chattanooga fans, the Lookouts returned their operations to Chattanooga in December, 1943. After the war, Sandlin returned to Chattanooga, where he resumed his roles as trainer at University of Chattanooga and for the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1946.

With the Lookouts’ disbandment after the 1965 season, Sandlin concluded his career with the club. He continued working at University of Chattanooga (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga since 1969) until his retirement from the athletics program in 1974. Despite his retirement, he continued to work as an athletic trainer, working at Baylor High School until his passing in 1979.

“Class of 1994: L. David ‘Sandy’ Sandlin.” Tennessee Athletic Trainers' Society. Accessed November 16, 2023. https://www.tnata.org/bios-1/2020/4/26/class-of-1994-l-david-sandy-sandlin

Exum, Helen. “Sandy: A Man Whose Heart Outshines His Skillful Hands.” Chattanooga News-Free Press (Chattanooga, TN), Sep 26, 1971.

Gammon, Wirt. “Montgomery Gets Lookouts; Final game Here Tomorrow.” Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, TN), Jul 7, 1943.

Horton, Bob. “Some Remarks About Our ‘Orphans.’” Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, TN), Aug 22, 1943.

Martini, Stephen. The Chattanooga Lookouts & 100 Seasons of Scenic City Baseball. Cleveland: Dry Ice Publishing, 2006.

Russell, Fred. “Chattanooga Fans Seek Lookouts Again.’” Nashville Banner (Nashville, TN), Dec 2, 1943.

“Sandlin, Davis ‘Sandy.’” Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Accessed October 18, 2023. http://tshf.net/halloffame/sandlin-davis-sandy/.

“Sandy Sandlin to Join Georgia Tech’s Staff.’” Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, TN), September 22, 1943.