Hall of Fame
Class of 1975
Sport: Basketball
Jersey: #33
Athletic Accomplishments:
At 6-8, Shorty was both the College’s all-timescorer and rebounder. For three consecutive years, he was theleading Maryland rebounder. He ranked fourth in the NationalAssociation of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for average numberof points (24.0) and rebounds (22.6) per game. Shortyfinished his collegiate career with 1,493 points in 64 games. In 1976, he was one of the first four basketball players inductedinto the school’s new 1,000-Point Club.
Career Highlights:
During the 1970-71 season, he had the most rebounds in oneseason at St. Mary’s (679). He also led the nation inrebounding, averaging 26.1 points per game, and was chosen as thePotomac Intercollegiate Conference (PIC) MVP. The nextseason, 1971-72, he had the most field goals in a single season atSt. Mary’s (264) and held the national record for single gamerebounding (45). Shorty was chosen PIC MVP for the secondconsecutive year. For the 1972-73 season, he was the teamco-captain and led the team to the school’s first PICtitle. He was chosen PIC MVP for the third consecutive yearand selected for the PIC All-Conference team and the NAIA District19 All-Star team. Shorty also received honorable mention,Small College All-American.
Post-collegiate Achievements:
He was described in a 1976 Mulberry Tree article as“the College’s best bet in the school’s athletichistory of a professional sports berth.” Coach Ed Colefound out about NBA Washington Capitol Bullets’ team tryoutsand arranged for Shorty to try out. In 1973, he was draftedby the Bullets in the 15th round but was ultimately cut althoughthe team did ask him to play on its summer league team. In1974, he signed a contract to play for the German team, MunichBarons, in the European Professional Basketball League. Heparticipated in the Detroit Pistons’ 1975 summer trainingcamp with other free agents. In August 1975, he went to NewOrleans for tryouts with the Jazz.
