AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern State University Athletics Department recently inducted Hugh Stanley "Butch" Watts into its GSW Hurricane Hall of Fame.
Watts was a basketball and baseball standout at GSW from 1963-65. In his first season on the hardwood for the Hurricanes, Watts was a second team All-Georgia Junior College Athletic Conference selection as he ranked second in the GJCAC averaging 21.9 points per game. Watts' production in his second season was nearly identical as he averaged 21.8 points to rank third in the league.
After closing out his basketball career at GSW, Watts took to the diamond where he played varsity baseball for the Hurricanes and signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins. In the summer of 1965 Watts played in the Twins minor league system for their rookie league team, the Bradenton Twins, and posted a 1-0 record with a 3.00 earned run average.
Watts eventually returned to the Peach State and earned his bachelor's degree in education from Georgia Southern College in 1969.
From there Watts had a prolific coaching career in the prep ranks leading Lee County (Ga.) High School to six regional baseball championships garnering him five region coach of the year awards. He was successful as a boys basketball coach as well, taking Lee County to a pair of regional championships that culminated with a 1-AAA state title in 1985. Watts was named the 1985 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association and Atlanta Journal-Constitution State 1-AAA Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
The Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricane Hall of Fame was created as a way to honor those individuals who were exceptional student-athletes during their tenure as Hurricanes at GSW, or have been loyal and dedicated friends or administrators in the GSW Athletic Department.
Click here to view the timetable of Watts' achievements.
Click here to view photos from Watts' induction ceremony.