In a ceremony held on Oct. 23, retired baseball coach George McQuitter was celebrated by former players and the community. The baseball field at the former Utica Junior College—now Hinds Community College Utica Campus—was rededicated and named Grantham-McQuitter Field in his honor.
Honoring McQuitter’s Legacy
Coaching from 1979 to 1988, McQuitter transformed a struggling baseball program into a powerhouse, launching the careers of three professional players and paving the way for many others to excel in four-year institutions.
“This field is more than just a place to play. It represents countless hours of hard work, dedication, and support from so many people,” Vice President Jonathan Townes said during the ceremony. “Today marks an exciting milestone for our college community and past and current student-athletes, honoring a rich history of sports excellence that we are continuing to build upon.”
Among those present were many of McQuitter’s former players, who attended the ceremony teary-eyed and grateful for the man who profoundly impacted their lives. Rick Porter, McQuitter’s longtime assistant coach, reflected on how the Utica baseball program once lacked respect but thrived under McQuitter’s leadership.
“If you put that maroon and gold on, you met certain standards. If you couldn’t live up to those standards, you couldn’t wear the maroon and gold. His leadership brought this program to national prominence. Of all the things I think coach did, I was most proud of his care for his players,” Porter recalled. “His main purpose was to provide an avenue for guys to get ahead in life, step up, and make something out of their lives they may not have had before.”
Harold Carpenter, who played on the Utica Junior College team from 1979 to 1981, echoed Porter’s sentiments. “This UJC baseball team was built on hard work and dedication on and off the field. The whole college could feel the shift and knew this was a new and improved UJC baseball team,” he said.
Sharing the Recognition
In a moment of humility, McQuitter gestured to the former players surrounding him and remarked that while his name would be displayed on the field marker, it was indeed a tribute to them. “That’s your name. That’s not my name – that’s your name,” he said. “It’s so important to me that these guys be honored. When people pass by here, they’ll know what you did.”
