Today is day two of the Southern Conference’s 10-day preview leading up to the induction ceremony on May 4 of the inaugural 10 inductees in the 2009 SoCon Hall of Fame class. The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, S.C., where the conference office is located.
Today’s highlighted inductee is Duke men’s basketball and baseball player Dick Groat.
Dick Groat
Duke University
Men’s Basketball/Baseball
1949-1952
A two-time SoCon Male Athlete of the Year in 1951 and 1952, Groat was named the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 1951 and 1952. He also garnered all-conference honors in baseball for two seasons (1951, 1952). He went on to enjoy a 14-year career in Major League Baseball and was a part of World Series Championship teams in 1960 (Pittsburgh) and 1964 (St. Louis).
- SoCon basketball Player of Year and first-team All-American, 1951 and 1952
- Helms Foundation national Player of Year, 1951
- Led NCAA in scoring and assists, 1952
- Elected to College Basketball Hall of Fame, 2007
- Played on Duke baseball team that reached College World Series, 1952
- Voted National League MVP, 1960
- Starting shortstop on two World Series champions, 1960 and 1964
Tickets for the event are available through the Chapman Center ticket office at 864-542-2787 or visiting the Chapman Cultural Center website.