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KENNESAW, Ga. – Four new members were inducted into the Kennesaw State Athletics Hall of Fame during a ceremony Friday evening at the Embassy Suites in Kennesaw.
 
The class of 2017 includes Cliff Brannon (baseball; 1987-89), Kennesaw State Athletics donor Caric Martin, Jolene Morris (softball; 1985-88) and Skip Spann, who provided distinguished service to Kennesaw State.
 
With the addition of the new class plus 47 individuals who contributed to the success of Southern Polytechnic State University's Athletics, the Kennesaw State Athletics Hall of Fame now features 100 individuals and two teams.
 
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). His 18 home runs led the conference. 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. 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 round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1989 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming the first KSU player drafted.


 
Caric Martin, Donor
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 athletic 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, Distinguished Service to Kennesaw State
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, a position he retired from in 2011. Spann was a passionate supporter of Kennesaw State Athletics. He passed away in 2012.



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