He was also an influential figure in the state of Alabama's sports, having served on numerous boards for halls of fame.
Born in Selma, Alabama, Striplin attended Albert G. Parish High School before enrolling at Spring Hill College.
After two years, Striplin transferred to Birmingham–Southern College where he excelled on the school's swimming, basketball, and baseball teams.
[2] He graduated in 1951, then pursued his Master's in Education at Peabody College (part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, Tennessee.
[1] At the same time, he assumed the role of Belmont's athletic director, the first in their history, and Striplin started the baseball program.