Patterson, Jeff

He was a four-year starter in football and four-year letterman in basketball at Central High School, playing for State of Alabama Hall of Fame coach Don Creasy in football and Lauderdale County Hall of Fame coach Jerry Kelsoe in baseball. In football, he started on the offensive and defensive lines (1972-1976). He was All-County and All-State in 1976 and was a starter for the North squad in the 1977 Alabama All-Star Football Game. He was a pitcher and first baseman for the Wildcats baseball team. He was the team MVP as a senior, leading the team in ERA, homeruns and RBI. Central was 42-10 during his final two seasons and finished second in the state in 1977. He signed with UNA and lettered four years and was a member of UNA’s first Gulf South Conference championship team in 1980. The Lions were 31-11 during his four seasons. He won the Athletic Scholastic Award as the UNA athlete with the highest GPA.