Temple University Athletics
Temple Hall Of Famer Jesse Hodges Passes Away
5.29.09 | Baseball
May 29, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple University community mourns the passing of Jesse Hodges, a baseball All-American and 2008 inductee into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Mr. Hodges, 64, passed away on Tuesday at his residence in Perkiomenville, PA.
One of only two Temple baseball players to earn ABCA First Team All-America honors, Mr. Hodges had a breakout season on the diamond as a senior in 1967. The Owl third baseman batted a team-best .387 with eight home runs and 36 RBI while playing in just 28 games.
The Hatboro, Pa. (Upper Moreland HS) native led the Cherry and White to a 22-10-1 record that season. Hodges, who owns three master's degrees from Temple, signed a free agent contract with the New York Yankees following the season and spent one year in their farm system.
Mr. Hodges served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Bragg, NC and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in the Republic of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Hodges was a professor at Montgomery County Community College for 37 years and received the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award from MCCC in 2007. He was awarded Professor Emeritus in Psychology and History.
Friends may call on Sunday, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 1020 East Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville, PA. Services and interment are private and at the convenience of the family.
