Coach Alexander M. Clement
Graduating class: 1946-1958
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2006
Hall of Fame Category: Coach
Coach Alec Clement came to Fairhaven High School in 1939 as athletic coach and teacher of American History. He had previously directed the Physical Education program at Sheffield High School in Sheffield, MA after earning a Bachelor's Degree from North Adams State College in 1938. Later during his early years in Fairhaven, he earned his Master's Degree as well
Alec was a three sport star at Chicopee High School where he graduated in 1921. He then entered Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH where he started in football, baseball and basketball. in 1922 he entered Williams College where he was the captain of the football team and was a star pitcher on the baseball team.
Alec left Williams in his third year to play for the Frankford Yellowjackets when the team was the counterpart of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL in 1925. During a memorable game against the New York Yankees that year at the Polo Grounds, Alec took the opening kickoff on the goal line from the famed Jim Thorpe and ran it back to the Yankees 15 yard line before being tackled.
In 1924 Alec pitched weekends for the minor league Jack O'Hara's All Stars at Windsor Locks, CT, and later he played for the Coronets of the Lynn Twilight League. Records indicate a 2.68 ERA! During a college all star game against the New York Yankees in 1924, Alec hurled a 4-2 victory. Babe Ruth was playing first base for the Yankees and went 0-4 against the Williams College star.
Coach Clement enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on April 19, 1943 and received his initial training in Commander Tom Hamilton's physical fitness program for Naval Air Cadets at Chapel Hill, NC. He was then assigned as an instructor in the Navy's 10 sport physical fitness program at the Georgia Pre-Flight School at Athens, GA, aimed at developing in cadets a will to win against any odds and a willingness to sacrifice for an ideal.
In January, 1944 he volunteered to serve at the Naval Ammunition Depot at Port Chicago, CA where he served as an Assistant Division Officer supervising the loading of ammunition aboard ships bound for the Pacific Theatre. In July of that year a disastrous explosion took place. Over 300 men lost their lives. Continued operations were imperative and Lt. Clement, his fellow officers and the surviving enlisted men met the challenges during the reconstruction of the harbor.
Coach Clement returned to Fairhaven High School in early 1946 to teach American History and coach the baseball teams. While sports were his first love, the teaching of the history of our country to the students at FHS was a continuing inspiration for him. He took great pleasure in providing advice and help to students who wanted to continue their education. Perhaps his greatest desire was to inspire excellence, not only in the classroom, but also on the playing field. Athlete, veteran, teacher and coach - - a wonderful career.