Hall of Fame
Referred to by her close friends and teammates as “Jenks”, Bettilee was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She enrolled in Morgan in 1951. Bettilee was a popular student on campus and especially in the athletic circle.
During her four years at Morgan, Bettilee was the inspiration for Morgan’s championship basketball team: only four loses during her career on the court.
Bettilee was always a threat to her opponents. Even though she was the high scorer during her four years, she very seldom knew that she was or what the winning score was. All that she was concerned about was giving it her all to win.
Bettilee held the highest individual score in the new Hurt Gymnasium in 1952 for a period. She was later topped by Ernie Garrett. She was consistently teased by the male coaches at Morgan to join the Men’s Basketball team.
Bettilee was known for her fantastic ability to fake her opponent, superb ball handling, and her famous seldom-missed hook shot from anywhere on the court.
She ranks at the top with Morgan’s athletic greats. Bettilee was also a member of the cheering squad and the Morgan Choir.
Bettilee received her B.S. degree in Physical Education and her M.S. degree in Administrative Recreation from Morgan State College. She is currently teaching at Anne Arundel County. Maryland.
Bettilee is an outstanding teacher and coach. She has been instrumental in inspiring young people who had no hope for furthering their education by getting them enrolled in various colleges. She organized several athletic and social groups for youth in her school and community.
She is an active member of many civic organizations. She is an active member of the Varsity “M” Club, Board member of the Anne Arundel County NAACP, volunteer worker in recreation, member of Pi Beta Sigma Sorority , member if the Asbury United Methodist Church in Annapolis, and many other organizations.
Bettilee is married, a proud mother of one daughter, and resides in Annapolis, Maryland.
