Former HBCU Players Get College Baseball HOF Nod

It’s been an exciting couple of months for HBCUs with regards to baseball-related stories. In early May, Prairie View A&M and Alabama A&M played a game at the hallowed ground of Wrigley Field. It was an evening to honor the past and promote the future of HBCU baseball programs at one of the most legendary sports venues in the country.

In mid-June, it was announced that two former HBCU baseball greats will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Marquis Grissom and Dave Clark will both enter the esteemed club during an induction ceremony in February 2027.

Grissom played his college baseball at Florida A&M, and spent two seasons playing multiple positions for the Rattlers. He was one of the best outfielders in the sport, leading all of NCAA Division I in runs scored and triples per game in his final season in 1988. If that wasn’t enough, Grissom also pitched for Florida A&M as well.

The versatile star started 12 games on the hill for the Rattlers in 1988, finishing with a record of 9-3 and an impressive 2.41 earned run average.

FAMU great Marquis Grissom headed to College Baseball Hall of Fame https://t.co/zCyrRNoO0R

— Tallahassee Democrat (@TDOnline) June 22, 2026

Baseball fans who might not have been familiar with Grissom from his Florida A&M days certainly might remember his longstanding MLB career, which spanned 17 seasons. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Montreal Expos, and led all of the major leagues in stolen bases in 1991 and 1992 while playing north of the border.

Grissom was a force to be reckoned with on the bases, as he swiped 76 and 78 bases in those campaigns.

He won a World Series title with the Atlanta Braves in 1995, and also generally caught anything that was hit in his vicinity. Grissom is a four-time Gold Glove award winner as well.

As he aged, Grissom’s prolific base stealing numbers declined, but his power at the dish increased. He hit 20 or more home runs three times at age 34 or older, which is something he only accomplished twice in the earlier part of his career.

Dave Clark was a standout player at Jackson State from 1981-1983 and helped the school make history in 1982 when they became the first HBCU to make an NCAA Tournament regional.

Dave Clark @astros first base coach has been elected to College Baseball Hall of Fame.
He was @theswac MVP in 1983 for @GoJSUTigers Jackson State before being chosen in 1st round of 1983 #MLBDraft by Cleveland.
Induction ceremony is Feb 2027. pic.twitter.com/6D7TjqNYm3

— Jason Bristol (@JBristolKHOU) June 20, 2026

He was a very difficult player for pitchers to retire in 1982 and 1983, when he hit .363 and .378 respectively at Jackson State.

Clark also had a long MLB career, playing 13 years at the highest level. He played for six teams, spending the most time with the Pittsburgh Pirates (five seasons). His best seasons came with the Pirates in 1993 and 1994, where he drove in a career-high 46 runs in each of those campaigns.

Clark currently serves as the first base coach for the Houston Astros.

Clark and Grissom are part of a 21-player class that will be part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s 19^th annual induction ceremony, which will take place at the Overland Park Marriott.