Rattlers Represent FAMU at 2026 HBCU Swingman Classic
After Florida A&M University’s final baseball game of the season, William Brown thought his collegiate baseball journey had reached its conclusion.
Then, an unexpected call from Head Baseball Coach Jamey Shouppe gave him one more chance to represent the Rattlers.
William Brown was one of four student-athletes representing FAMU during the 2026 MLB
All-Star Week in Philadelphia. He also had an opportunity to meet MLB Hall of Famer
Ken Griffey Jr. (Courtesy of Getty Images - Photo by Amya Henley/MLB Photos via Getty
Images).
“I got done with our last game and thought that was it,” Brown said. “Then Coach Shouppe called me one day and said, ‘Will, I got some news.’ He told me I had been invited to the Swingman Classic.”
Brown was one of four Florida A&M players selected to participate in the 2026 HBCU Swingman Classic, joining teammates Caleb Granger, Jay Campbell and Jackson McKenzie during 2026 MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia. Created by Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., the annual showcase brings together many of the nation's top HBCU players, allowing them to compete on a Major League Baseball field while celebrating the rich tradition of HBCU baseball.
For Brown, the selection was more than an invitation to another game. It was an unexpected extension of a season he believed had already come to an end.
“Everyone’s helped me out a lot,” Brown said. “Family and friends helped me get to college, and then in college, having good teammates by my side and coaches who are always willing to look out for you put me in the right position to have the best opportunities.”
Reflecting on his journey, Brown hopes younger athletes understand that success comes from consistently doing the small things well.
“Baseball is one of those things where you can’t just practice here and there,” he said. “It’s a grind, and you have to consistently do the little things.”
Shouppe said the four student-athletes earned the recognition through both their performance on the field and their character off it.
“They're good men, all four of them,” he shared. “They had great seasons for us. They're all great students and outstanding people.”
Caleb Granger, Jackson McKenzie and Jay Campgell enjoyed their time competing on a
Major League Baseball diamond. (Courtesy of Getty Images - Photo by Amya Henley/MLB
Photos via Getty Images).
Shouppe explained that the HBCU Swingman Classic gives players an experience that extends beyond competing on a major league baseball field.,
“It's a chance to not only be there and play a fun game, an All-Star game, but to be around former Major League All-Stars and, in some cases, Hall of Fame players,” Shouppe said.
While Brown’s story began with an unexpected phone call, Granger’s path to the HBCU Swingman Classic was shaped by perseverance.
A Tallahassee native, Granger transferred to FAMU from Andrew College in Georgia. Hoping to continue his baseball career close to home, he reached out to Shouppe.
“I called Shouppe, and I asked him if I could walk on, and he gave me a walk-on spot,” he said.
Granger quickly proved he belonged. During his first season with the Rattlers, he earned a spot in the starting rotation just weeks into the season and helped lead FAMU to a championship. His performance over the next several years earned him Pitcher of the Year honors and multiple All-Star selections.
His journey, however, was not without setbacks.
After undergoing elbow surgery that cut his season short, Granger faced the challenge of rebuilding his confidence and returning to competition.
“Coming off surgery, it was really difficult getting back,” he said. “There were a bunch of ups and downs, and my arm wasn’t recovering like I wanted it to.”
After months of rehabilitation, Granger returned to competition and earned the opportunity to represent FAMU during MLB All-Star Week.
Caleb Granger was excited to spend his last year at FAMU experiencing the Swingman
Classic before graduation. (Courtesy of Getty Images - Photo by Amya Henley/MLB Photos
via Getty Images).
Granger said participating in the HBCU Swingman Classic was an experience he will remember long after his collegiate career.
“When I stepped on that field, it was a real moment,” he said. “It’s very hard to get on a Major League Baseball field, and to play on it is a whole other level.”
Beyond the competition, he said he also viewed the experience as a chance to represent the university that helped shape him both as a player and as a person.
“I really wanted people to see my legacy, see how FAMU was and how I was treated at FAMU,” Granger said. “The character that I possess and show really resembles FAMU.”
Media Contact
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
