William O. Lowe

William Oscar "Chink" Lowe (May 23, 1894 – March 12, 1949) was a college football player. He later served as the first commissioner of the Smoky Mountain Conference.

Early years
William Oscar Lowe was born on May 23, 1894 in Loudon County, Tennessee to Jesse Grant Lowe and Margaret Anna Alexander. His father was a teacher.

University of Tennessee
Chink Lowe was a prominent guard for the Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee. He was selected for an 1891-1919 All Tennessee team. "Chink" and his three brothers (Andy Lowe, J. G. Lowe, and Ted Lowe) all played for Tennessee.

1914
Lowe was a substitute for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) champion 1914 team.

1916
Lowe was an All-Southern selection for the SIAA co-champion Tennessee team of 1916. He was elected captain of next year's team.

World War 1
Lowe served in the First World War as an observer and gunner in the Army's fledgling aviation corps. attached to the Army as a marine. Lowe enrolled as a provisional second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve the day after his 23rd birthday, later serving with the 90th Aero Squadron. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross. Lowe shot down one German plane and disabled another. Later, on the same mission, he was attacked by five planes and still managed to complete his mission.