Clemson baseball mours the passing of Tigers legend Doug Kingsmore

Former Clemson baseball star Doug Kingsmore passed away Tuesday evening, according to a release from the program.

Kingsmore was such an icon for the Tigers, Clemson renamed the stadium after him after a $1 million donation and his contributions on and off the field. The Clemson legend was co-captain on the 1954 ACC title team.

The university mourned his passing Wednesday.

“While we are saddened by the news of the passing of Doug Kingsmore, his legacy and impact at Clemson will live on for generations to come,” Clemson University Board Chair Kim Wilkerson said. “His passion for our University was on display from the moment he arrived at Clemson as a student-athlete and continued through his service as a trustee and trustee emeritus.

“Doug’s great laugh could brighten a whole room, and we will miss seeing him proudly wearing his Clemson Orange and Tiger Paw, which he wore nearly every day.”

Clemson President Jim Clements also released a statement.

“Doug Kingsmore was a champion for Clemson University,” Clements said. “Through his leadership and service at Clemson, from his time as a student and star student-athlete to his many years on the Board of Trustees, Doug made Clemson a better place. He was an amazing person whose commitment to Clemson will continue to positively impact our community for years to come.”

Kingsmore’s Clemson career lasted from 1951-54. His final season was his best.

During the spring of 1954, Kingsmore had the best season of his college career. He finished with a .371 batting average, hit 10 home runs (which led the ACC), had 27 RBI and scored 25 runs.

He did all of that in just 89 at-bats and his one home run every 8.9 at-bats was a school record for 68 years. Over the course of his career, Kingsmore had a .346 batting average and a .646 slugging percentage.

He also had a .996 fielding percentage as an outfielder. Kingsmore’s contributions led to the ACC title and Clemson’s, at the time, third NCAA Tournament bid.

At the professional level, Kingsmore signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles after the 1954 season and played three seasons in the Tri-State, Carolina and Texas Leagues.

Following Kingsmore’s baseball career, he went into business and served on the Clemson University Board of Trustees for 12 years.