The College Baseball Hall of Fame’s newest class features a historic HBCU presence.
Jackson State’s Dave Clark and Florida A&M’s Marquis Grissom were officially announced as inductees in conjunction with the College World Series championship round.
They were announced as two of the 21 inductees for the 2026 class.
Clark powered Jackson State to HBCU baseball history in early 1980s
Clark, a standout outfielder at Jackson State, was instrumental in one of the most groundbreaking seasons in HBCU baseball history. The 1982 Tigers finished 34-18 and became the first HBCU program to compete in an NCAA Division I regional after the Southwestern Athletic Conference received an automatic postseason bid.
As a sophomore, Clark led the team with a .363 batting average and earned Sporting News All-American honors. He returned in 1983 and elevated his performance, hitting .378 with 13 home runs before being selected in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Clark went on to play 13 seasons in the major leagues and later transitioned into coaching and managing, including a stint as interim manager of the Houston Astros in 2009.
Grissom displayed a rare combination of speed and power at FAMU
Grissom’s collegiate career at Florida A&M was equally dominant, showcasing rare two-way excellence. He powered the Rattlers to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships in 1987 and 1988, emerging as one of the nation’s most dynamic players.
As a freshman, Grissom hit .393 with eight home runs. He followed that with a remarkable sophomore campaign, batting .448 with 10 doubles, 10 triples and 12 home runs. On the mound, he posted a 9-3 record with a 2.40 ERA, throwing 12 complete games and striking out 93 batters in 86 innings.
His 1988 season ranked among the nation’s best, finishing sixth in batting average, tying for the national lead in triples and placing among the top 20 in ERA.
Selected in the third round of the 1988 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos, Grissom transitioned into a full-time outfielder and enjoyed a 17-year major league career. He was a two-time National League All-Star, won four Gold Gloves, and led the league in stolen bases in both 1991 and 1992.
