Clarence E. Morgan

2003 Effingham County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Born in Effingham County on June 27, 1946

Reared in Shawnee. Started recreation sports career with Shawnee Baptist softball team in 1963.  He played church league softball for 20+ years.  His last years was played with Turkey Branch Methodist coached by Ronnie Weaver.

Instrumental with Varnie Wilson helped start the North Effingham Church Basketball League in November 1965, serving as secretary and schedule maker.  In February 1967 tied the league record for points, 36  held by Jim Long of Holy Trinity.  Played church league which turned to open league until the late 1980’s.

From 1967 until 1975 help Noel C. Conaway and Porky Worrell run the Effingham County Youth Athletic Association offering youth sports for Effingham children.

In 1970 started coaching career at Central Jr. High School. He excelled as a coach in football and basketball, winning over 85 % of his basketball games.  Became Athletic Director in 1972, started the Central Jr. High Panther Bowl and Miss Central Pageant.  His team won the Central and Glennville invitational Basketball tournaments in 1971.  He left Central in 1974 to pursue a very successful high school career as baseball coach and athletic director. He also coached other sports.

In 1980, Mr. Cecil Usher and Ms. Joan Kessler persuaded him to return to Central Jr. High as athletic director to help revamp a dying program.  He made it a prominent program within a year.  He stayed at Effingham County Middle School until his retirement in August 1999.

He started coaching recreation baseball in 1974 and his teams claimed many honors.  1974 won 2^nd place in senior Boys baseball district, 1976 won senior boy’s district, and won the only State GRPA baseball championship in Senior Boys for Effingham County.  1977 also placed 2^nd in District senior Boys.

Started playing men’s softball in the early 1970’s and along with Lamar Allen helped started the Bubba’s Sport Shop team.  Teams were super successful for years going from Bubba’s to Arden’s Chevrolet to Patriots and ending up as B & B of Sylvania. He was a very successful player, being one of best hitters in his era.  He played left field for years until more youthful players and his age, brought him to pitch and catch in later years.

He helped with the ECYAA until Effingham County Recreation Department was starting in 1975 and then volunteered until he started working part time in April 1980 as Director and stayed in that capacity until Patt Hallisey was promoted to Director in 1982. He then stayed on part time as athletic coordinator until he became fulltime after his retirement from teaching in August 1999.  He served on the Recreation Commission from 1978 to 1985. During his tenure with ECRD he filled in as director on 6 different times ranging from 6 months up to 2 years.  In October 2000, he became the director for the City Rincon of Recreation Department.  In July 2001, he returned to Effingham County as director for the Effingham County Recreation Department.

In October 2002, GRPA 1^st District recognized him with his 35 years service award and the State GRPA in November 2002 recognized him also with his 35 years service award.

He officiated baseball, softball, basketball, football, and flag football for years in Effingham and was the assigning secretary part of that time.