Hall of Fame History

KENNESAW, Ga. (August 14, 2017) - Membership into the Kennesaw State Athletics Hall of Fame will grow by four following Monday's announcement of the 2017 Hall of Fame class.
 
This year's class will include Cliff Brannon (baseball; 1987-89), Caric Martin (donor), Jolene Morris (softball; 1985-88) and Skip Spann (supporter), who will be honored posthumously.
 
The formal induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, at Embassy Suites in Kennesaw. The Hall of Fame weekend will continue on Saturday (Oct. 7) when the honorees will attend the Varsity Club tailgate and be recognized during the KSU football game versus Texas Southern at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
With the addition of the new class, the Kennesaw State Athletics Hall of Fame now features 53 individuals and two teams, dating back to the original class that was inducted in 2003. Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), which consolidated with Kennesaw State, has 47 members, bringing the overall total to 100.
 
Following are brief bios on the 2017 Hall of Fame class:
 
Cliff Brannon (Baseball; 1987-89)
Brannon had a standout career during his three seasons playing for the Owls. His list of honors included NAIA All-American, NAIA All-Southeast Region, NAIA District and Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GIAC) Player of the Year. As a sophomore in 1988, Brannon had a memorable season as he established career highs in batting average (.349), runs scored (54), hits (68), home runs (18), RBIs (50) and slugging percentage (.728). As a junior, he batted .364 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs, while also seeing action on the mound and posting a 2-2 record, 3.04 ERA and a conference-leading 14 saves. His 18 home runs also topped the league. While playing at KSU, Brannon helped the Owls to a pair of NAIA District playoff appearances and the 1988 GIAC championship. He went on to play four seasons of professional baseball after being a 29th ound draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming the first KSU player drafted.
 

Caric Martin (Donor, KSU Alum)
A devoted alum and supporter of Kennesaw State Athletics, Caric Martin has had a long and impactful association with KSU. That relationship with the University began well before Martin enrolled as a student in the mid-1970s. His father, Charlie, had a long tenure as an economics professor at KSU from 1968-1988. After establishing a successful professional career, Martin became a valued contributor to the athletics department as a men's basketball season ticket holder and donor in 2007. Following his father's passing, Martin, in an effort to honor his dad's memory, started the Martin-Parrish Family Athletic Scholarship for the men's basketball program, making it the first endowed scholarship. His contributions and involvement in KSU Athletics place him in the top 10 of individual donors. He currently serves on the Kennesaw State University Athletic Association (KSUAA) Board, is senior vice president of Vinings Bank and co-owner of Dogwood Golf Club in Austell. Martin and his wife, Grace, have three children and eight grandchildren.
 

Jolene Morris (Softball; 1985-88)
Jolene Morris is a pioneer in the history of Kennesaw State Athletics and its softball program. After signing the first scholarship in softball program history, Morris helped lead the slow-pitch Owls to three NAIA District titles and Georgia Conference championships. She was a three-time All-NAIA District 25 and All-Georgia Conference selection, and holds six game, 10 season and 15 career records. Morris concluded her career with a 124-31 record, 1.66 ERA, 31 shutouts and 115 strikeouts. She is also the program's slow-pitch record holder for home runs in a game, season and career. Following her career at Kennesaw State, Morris moved on to West Georgia where she served as a graduate assistant and earned a master's degree. She was honored with induction into the Kennesaw State Softball Circle of Honor this past spring, and currently serves as principal at Chapel Hill Middle School in Douglasville, Ga.
 

Skip Spann (Supporter)
A renowned figure in Cobb County and throughout the state of Georgia, Skip Spann made significant and lasting contributions to the local community and Kennesaw State University. His legacy will be forever remembered as the lighted bridge that crosses I-75 near the KSU campus is named the "Skip Spann Connector" in his honor. Spann, who was a member of the Town Center Community Improvement District, served as manager of Town Center at Cobb mall for 17 years, retiring in 2003. He helped start the Town Center CID in 1997 and served on its board after his retirement, serving as chairman from 1997 until 2007. Upon his retirement from the mall, Spann served as KSU's associate director of development for athletics, a position he retired from in 2011. Spann was instrumental in the formation of the Kennesaw State Athletics program. He passed away in 2012.
 

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State athletics news follow the Owls on twitter @KSUOwlNation or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
   
 

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