Ben Clemons

Walter N. "Ben" Clemons was an American basketball, baseball, and football player and coach for the Florida Gators.

Early years

Clemons was a lifelong resident of Havana, Florida. He was a high school teammate of Rainey Cawthon at Leon High School. He was inducted into the Leon High School Hall of Fame in 1982.

Playing career

Clemons attended the University of Florida. He was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame in April 1984.

Football

He was a 195-pound center for coach Charlie Bachman's 1928 [Florida Gators football team|1928 football team], splitting time with starter Frank Clark. The 1928 Gators were remembered by many sports commentators as the best Florida football team until at least the 1960s. An all-time Florida team selected by George Trevor in 1935 puts Clemons at second-team center, behind Welcome Shearer.

Basketball

Clemons tied as the team's leading scorer in the basketball season of 1929–30 with 136 points. In the 1931 Southern Conference tournament, Clemons was the high scorer in a victory over Georgia Tech [Yellow Jackets men's basketball|Georgia Tech]. Dale Waters and Monk Dorsett also played both football and basketball with Clemons.

Baseball

Clemons pitched on the baseball team. He was captain of the baseball team in his senior season.

Coaching career

Clemons coached at his alma mater from 1933 to 1936. He was the head coach of both the basketball and baseball teams, and an assistant for the varsity football team. Coach Clemons' basketball team once beat Adolph Rupp's Kentucky Wildcats in the SEC tournament, bringing Clemons to tears.