“I am very proud/Of my daddy’s name//Although his kind of music/And mine ain’t exactly the same.”
Hank Williams Jr. crooned those words in his 1979 hit “Family Tradition,” and those words still ring true when you take a deep dive into the history of Red Devil athletics. With a level of interconnection that is only rivaled by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, when Clinton athletes call their teammates “family” or “brothers” they mean it literally.
At the risk of sounding like the introduction to the Bible’s book of Numbers, here’s the breakdown:
A large portion of Clinton family lore begins with legendary coach Andy Young III. Andy Young III is the father of Mark Young, whose son is current Red Devil shortstop Bryce Young. Andy Young III’s father, Andy Young Jr, was first cousins with the grandfather of Michael Young, the father of current Clinton star linebacker and left fielder Brett Young, as well as standout catcher Luke Young, who is also looking to make football a part of his future. Thus, making Bryce, Luke and Brett Young all distant cousins.
However, it doesn’t stop there.
Graig Glenn is the father of Carson Glenn, current Clinton linebacker and Spartanburg Methodist baseball commit, as well as Jaydon Glenn, a Red Devil sophomore who is making an impact in football, basketball and baseball. Graig Glenn’s grandmother, Amy Young Caldwell, was first cousin to Michael Young’s grandfather, Mason Young. This makes the Glenns and Youngs related as distant cousins.
The Young and Glenn athletic bloodline does not only exist in Clinton, however.
Amy Young Caldwell’s brother, Odus Young, had two grandsons, Will and Kyle Young. Will Young is currently the head football coach at Greer High School, while Kyle Young is currently an associate athletic director at Clemson University. Kyle and Will Young both played football at Clemson, and Kyle Young’s son, Watson Young, recently signed to play football at Clemson out of D.W. Daniel High School.
“It’s surreal,” said Michael Young, who also played football at Clemson, of watching his sons and the sons of his former teammates competing for the Red Devils on the diamond, field and court.
The Red Devil baseball team competed hard last season when they took down Hanahan to win the first baseball state championship since 1961. Before game two, where the Red Devils would clinch the title victory, members of that 1961 team were honored. One of those members was Billy Glenn, the father of Graig Glenn and the grandfather of Carson and Jaydon Glenn. Later on that evening, it was Carson Glenn who came in to secure the victory on the mound for Clinton in front of his grandfather. According to Carson Glenn, there is no way to top that feeling.
“That’s something you imagine when you’re playing in the backyard as a kid,” said Carson Glenn. “It was a very special moment for me and my family.”
More hard work lies ahead for Carson Glenn, however. In 35.2 innings this season, Glenn has pitched to a stellar 1.76 ERA with 49 strikeouts, earning him a scholarship to play college baseball at Spartanburg Methodist College, the same place his father started his collegiate career. Graig Glenn played two years of college baseball at Spartanburg Methodist before transferring to North Greenville University. At North Greenville, he became a two-sport star in baseball and basketball. When you ask Graig Glenn, it is an unimaginable feeling as a parent, but an opportunity to coach his sons as well.
“It’s a great feeling, but I try to stay on them when I can,” said Graig Glenn. “If they want me to back off I will, but if you want to make it to the next level you have to put in the work that it takes.”
Graig Glenn’s other son, Jaydon Glenn, is making strides as well. While Carson Glenn is showing off his talents in baseball and football, Jaydon Glenn is the one who is continuing the tradition of hoopers in the family. To go on top of that, Jaydon Glenn is pursuing football as well as being a key contributor as an infielder and pitcher for the Red Devil baseball team. It is a heavy load and, when you ask Jaydon Glenn, he is aware of exactly what type of pressure is put on him to succeed.
“I’ve always heard that my dad was a good pitcher and my grandfather was a good second basemen, so I know I have to be decently good,” said Jaydon Glenn. “I just have to continue to come out here and put in the work every day.”
It is not just Graig Glenn’s offspring that are continuing the family tradition in Red Devil athletics. Michael Young’s sons, Brett and Luke Young, are both keeping the family tradition alive as well. Much like his father, Brett Young makes his presence felt the most on the football field. While only being a junior, Brett Young showed flashes of greatness and had one of the most impressive defensive seasons in Clinton football history, finishing as runner-up for the SK Media Defensive Player of the Year Award. In addition, Brett Young is currently starting in left field for the Red Devil baseball team where he is batting .365 on the season.
According to Brett Young, Clinton athletics has done more for him than just give him a platform to display his talents.
“It’s a brotherhood,” said Brett Young. “It’s just special to see and hang out with the brothers you know you’re going to have for life.”
When Brett Young says Clinton is a “brotherhood,” he means it literally. His younger brother, Luke Young, plays football as well, but his talents are best showcased on the baseball diamond. As a sophomore, Luke Young currently leads the Clinton baseball team in extra base hits with 11, while batting .316. To go on top of that, Luke Young was the starting varsity catcher on last year’s state championship winning team as only a freshman. You remember moments like that forever, but, if you ask Luke Young, playing alongside his brother is what he will remember forever.
“I’ve always looked up to him and we’ve always pushed each other to get better,” said Luke Young. “We have have always went and practiced together and being able to play alongside him is special.”
Michael, Brett and Luke Young are not the only family to hold the surname “Young” in Clinton baseball, though. Mark Young, and his son Bryce Young, hold that title as well, completing the family triangle. Mark Young was a talented catcher back in high school, and, according to him, he expected nothing less than to see his son follow in his footsteps.
“I was born and raised here in Clinton, and with my dad being the man that he was, this is basically all we have ever known,” Mark Young said.
Bryce Young is currently the starting shortstop for the Red Devils, where he has put together an impressive season as well. While batting .260 at the plate, the senior has made a seamless transition from second base to shortstop. It was from second base that Bryce Young made the final out to win the state championship last season and, according to Bryce Young, it is his favorite memory that he has ever had playing sports.
“Nothing compares to the rush you feel whenever you know that you’ve done it,” said Bryce Young of that final out. “It was a slow and steady hopper and I just made the play.”
Last year’s Clinton baseball team is not the only impressive team on the diamond that the Red Devils have had. In fact, there have been quite a few, including the 1994 team that included Mark Young, Michael Young and Graig Glenn. While this team did not take home the state title, they did knock off a Newberry team for the region championship that had five players drafted into Major League Baseball. Two of these players, Travis “Gookie” Dawkins and Reggie Taylor, had tenured careers in the majors. According to Michael Young, going from that team to seeing his sons and his former teammate’s sons continue their legacy on the diamond is the ultimate joy as a father.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” Michael Young said. “To be able to see all of our boys playing in the state championship together was surreal.”
Clinton athletics has been a significant part of their stories and all three dads attribute their
experience as a Red Devil as a significant factor in the men they are today. That, too, is something that has been passed down to each of their sons. However, when asked what is the main reason they got to where they are today, all eight men shared one common thought:
“All glory to God.”
