Morehouse proudly inaugurated its Den of Honor for baseball, celebrating the rich legacy of Maroon Tiger baseball. The induction ceremony took place recently at a private event.
The honorees were publicly recognized during a special presentation between game during the doubleheader against Edward Waters on Saturday, April 19. This milestone event honored the outstanding contributions of former players who have significantly impacted Maroon Tiger baseball.
Donn Clendenon '56
Donn Alvin Clendenon (July 15, 1935 – September 17, 2005) played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1961-1972. He is most notable for his performance during the 1969 World Series when he won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award by hitting three home runs to help lead the team known as the Miracle Mets to an upset victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Clendenon graduated as a letterman in nine sports at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, GA and received a host of scholarship offers. He was prepared to attend UCLA on a scholarship until some coaches from Morehouse College visited his mother, and convinced her that he should attend a school closer to home.
Just before Clendenon arrived in 1952, the freshman class were assigned "Big Brothers" to help the students acclimate themselves to Morehouse and college life. Although the policy had ended when he arrived, a Morehouse graduate volunteered to be Clendenon's big brother; his name was Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clendenon became a twelve-time letterman in football, basketball and baseball at Morehouse, and had received contract offers from both the Cleveland Browns and the Harlem Globetrotters. Clendenon, however, decided he wanted to teach, and began teaching fourth grade upon graduation. Williams convinced Clendenon to attend a Pittsburgh Pirates try-out camp in 1957, and he signed with the team as an amateur free agent shortly afterwards.
Clendenon was also inducted into the SIAC Hall of Fame in 2014.
Andre Pattillo '79
Andrew Pattillo graduated in 1979with a bachelor of arts in business administration. Pattillo was a dual sport athlete in baseball and football. Pattillo also served Morehouse professionally:
• 1979-1985 Assistant football coach
• 1986-1996 Admissions counselor
• 1996-2000 Director of admissions
• 2000-2019 Director of athletics
As the athletic director, the Maroon Tigers enjoyed success on the filed in multiple sports, including basketball, cross country, tennis, and track & field, winning SIAC championships. Pattillo coached the baseball team for two years, earning the 2005 SIAC Coach of the Year honor.
Pattillo retired from Morehouse after nearly 40 years of detailed service to the institution.
Andre Lowe '83
Andre Lowe earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in management. While at Morehouse, Lowe played on the baseball team for three years and started at shortstop all three years. He was team captain his junior year. After his junior year, the baseball program was discontinued and Lowe was able to sign a contract with the Atlanta Braves minor league system.
After his playing career, Lowe officiated baseball, football, and basketball, on the high school level. Lowe also officiated football and basketball on the collegiate level. Lowe currently serves as the MEAC Coordinator of Football Officials.
Shermaine Jennings '95
Shermaine Jennings played baseball for the Maroon Tigers from 1991 to 1994 and was one of the founding members of the Morehouse Baseball Club in 1991.
During his collegiate career, Jennings established himself as a dominant force ont he field, In 1993, he led the SIAC in ERA at 3.63. The following season, he was named the Maroon Tigers' MVP after posting a .391 batting average with 9 home runs. Jennings also ranked third in the nation in Division II in strikeouts per nin innings, averaging 12.1 strikeouts per nine winnings with over 108 innings pitched.
Amyr Smith '22
Amyr Smith currently coaches at Midtown High School (Atlanta, GA). In 2015, Smith was named the SIAC Newcomer of the Year and a Don Hanson All-American.
After returning to school following the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith led the Maroon Tigers to the SIAC Tournament and broke the Morehouse stolen bases record.
Tag(s):
Alumni Achievement