Union University Athletics

Jimmy Conner graduated with the Union class of 1964 after spending four years playing baseball from 1960 through the 1963 season. He was a part of the 1963 team that won the NCAA Division III National Championship. He was also a part of the 1961 team that finished runner-up in the national tournament. 

His 1963 team still holds the record for highest team batting average in school history for a season at .350. 

After his Union career ended, Conner played a season with the Buffalo Bison in the International League in 1963, followed by a signed contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. In 1964, he helped lead the Salisbury Dodgers to the Western Carolina League Championship. During that season, he caught a perfect game from pitcher John Purdin and also was second on the team with a .334 batting average. In 1965, he played for the Santa Barbara Dodgers in the California League, catching Major League Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton numerous times. 

Conner returned to Jackson after his career and coached a Dizzy Dean team comprised of area college players from 1981-84. One of the several former Union players he coach included Union Sports Hall of Fame member Ronnie Giddens. His 1981 team won the Dizzy Dean World Series in Chattanooga, Tenn.