I had the honor of attending the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame Banquet last evening at the RSA Battle House Tower building in downtown Mobile. What a wonderful induction class!
The individual achievements of this year’s class speaks volumes.
Jimmy Green: Green played at Alba High School in Bayou La Batre, before going on to become a three-time SEC and All-American selection at Auburn. He captured the conference’s individual championship in 1991 and collectively won six collegiate events during his time on The Plains, more than any golfer in school history. Green went on to play in 128 PGA Tour events over four years, including five U.S. Opens and a British Open, and earned 12 “Top 10” finishes. He grew up on his hometown Driftwood Golf Course, where his father was the pro.
Dan Jennings: Jennings attended Satsuma, Davidson and Fairhope High Schools before graduating from Fairhope in 1978. Played baseball collegiately at Southern Mississippi and William Carey, and later coached at Davidson (1985-1988), while also scouting for the Cincinnati Reds. Jennings later became the Seattle Mariners Southeastern Region scout, before later joining the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as Director of Scouting. In 2002, he joined the Florida Marlins as Vice President of Player Personnel, later becoming Assistant General Manager and ascending to the role of General Manager in 2013. Jennings was also pressed into duty as the Marlins manager from May 18, 2015, through the end of that season.
Lance Johnson: Johnson was a MLB All-Star (1996), Johnson played for five big league teams from 1987-2000. He is the only MLB player to lead both leagues in hits, and is one of three players in MLB history to lead both leagues in triples. From 1991 through 1994, Johnson led the American League in triples, becoming the first player in Major League history to lead his league in triples for four consecutive years. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Johnson settled in Mobile after attending the University of South Alabama where he led the nation in steals and was a Second Team All American selection. His mercurial speed on the base paths during his MLB career, and his uniform number “1”, earned him the nickname “One Dog,” which was also the name of the record company he owned during his playing days.
Tee Martin: Martin was an All-State quarterback and punter at Williamson High School, Martin attended the University of Tennessee where he backed up Peyton Manning for two seasons before leading the Volunteers to a National Championship in 1998. In 1999, Martin was an All-SEC pick before going on to spend two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the Oakland Raiders, as well as later continuing his professional career in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League. Martin has been an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico and Kentucky, but is now the offensive coordinator at the University of Southern California.
J.D. Shelwood: Shelwood won over 400 games as head basketball coach at LeFlore High School, including two state titles (1986 and 1989). After becoming the Rattlers’ man in charge in 1966 he went on to compile a 447-239 won-loss record. His teams’ made 10 state tournament appearances, and he was named “Mobile County Coach of the Year” an amazing nine times, while also being tabbed Alabama Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1989. He is currently head coach at Bishop State Community College in Mobile.
Monique Adams-Williams: Adams-Williams was twice a collegiate All-American, Adams led LSU to three SEC Championships and two Final Fours. She was a two-time all-league selection, was the 1991 SEC Tournament MVP, and made a Final Four All-Tournament team member. After being selected to the USA National Team (1989-1991), Adams played professional volleyball overseas for 17 years (1992-2008), including 10 years in Italy. At McGill-Toolen, she led the Dirty Dozen to four 6A state championships. Adams was also an All-State basketball player and led the Yellow Jackets to an undefeated state championship season. She is now an assistant coach at Bayside Academy in Daphne.
Dr. Bret Simmermacher is the Chair of Sports Coaching at the USSA.
22 APRIL 2016
Bret Simmermacher, DSM