Eric G. Tipton (1915 - 2001) and Tracy Corbin Hart (1910 - 1985)

Born in Virginia, Eric Tipton was an All-American football and baseball star at Duke University. In the summers, he played for the Kannapolis Towelers, including the two years they were in the ICBL "Outlaw" League. Later at Duke University, Tipton led an undefeated Blue Devils team to the Rose Bowl in 1939. (They lost to Southern California 7–3.)  That same year, Tipton signed with the Philadelphia Athletics as an outfielder. He played seven years for the “A’s,” before signing with the Cincinnati Reds. After his career in professional baseball ended, Tipton became the Head Baseball Coach and the Assistant Football Coach at West Point.   Tracy Hart was a pitcher with the Kannapolis Towelers.