Steve Hamilton played basketball and baseball for Morehead State from 1954-58. At the time of his induction he ranked fourth on MSU’s all-time scoring list with 1,829 points.

Hamilton set five MSU basketball records all in the rebounding department, including single-season average (20.1), average career (16.4), single game (38), single season (543) and career (1,675). His career-best single-game performance of 51 points came against Ohio University during the 1956-57 season. Hamilton was named an All-American in 1957. He was also a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference First-Team selection.

Hamilton played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1958-1960. He played as a power forward/center for the Minneapolis Lakers. He played in one NBA finals series against the Boston Celtics during the 1958-59 season. He averaged 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.5 assist per game in his two seasons in the NBA.

Hamilton played 12 seasons (1961-1972) in the major leagues for six baseball clubs. His record in the big leagues was 40-31 with 42 saves and a 3.05 earned run average. He pitched in two World Series for the New York Yankees. He is known around MLB for his pitch called the “folly-floater.”

Hamilton is the only individual to play in the NCAA Basketball Championships (Morehead State), a Major League Baseball World Series (New York Yankees) and a National Basketball Championship series (Minneapolis Lakers).

After his playing days in the major leagues, Hamilton returned to his alma mater to coach the baseball team. He coached the Eagles for 10 seasons leading them to a 230-173 record during that stretch. He led the Eagles to four divisional championships, one regular season tile and two trips to the NCAA tournament. He was named OVC Coach of the Year four times.

Hamilton was named the Athletic Director of Morehead State in July of 1988. As the A.D. he led the program to success on the field, in facility improvements and in the classroom. During his tenure, a weight room was built, an academic counselor for athletics was added, and graduation rates of student-athletes improved as the University won the OVC Academic Achievement Banner four times. He served as the A.D. until his death in 1997.

Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in 1958 and master’s degree in 1963 from MSU. He received many honors in addition to being named to the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame, including the OVC Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1999, the OVC honored Hamilton with the establishment of the “Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award.” It is given annually to an OVC male or female student-athlete of junior or senior standing who best exemplifies the characteristics of Hamilton. Criteria include significant athletic performance along with good sportsmanship and citizenship.