Alabama Florida League – Young Boozer

Young Boozer – A Different Hall Of Famer
Young Jacob Boozer, made a brief appearance in the Alabama-Florida League in 1937,
but Boozer was much more than a ballplayer: He would become a very successful
and respected businessman and a member of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. Boozer
played college ball at the University of Alabama.  He graduated from
Bama in 1936, earning a bachelor of science degree.  In 1937, Boozer gave
professional baseball a try, signing on with the Dothan Boll Weevils of the AFL. 
Boozer’s career would be brief, making only 15 appearances with the Boll
Weevils before retiring, but his talent and ability were such that he could
have played longer if he had desired a baseball career.  In 15 games, Boozer
batted .418, getting 23 hits in 55 at bats, including 3 doubles and 5 stolen
bases.  He scored 9 times and drove in 10 runners. His outfield play was
above average and he committed only 1 error in 27 fielding plays.  Despite
his athletic skill, Boozer was meant for bigger and better things.  In 1937,
Boozer accepted a banking position in Dothan and began his business career.

Born in Noma, Florida in 1912, Boozer’s father passed away in 1917, forcing
Young to contribute to providing for the family at an extremely young age.
This early exposure to work provided Boozer with a good understanding of business
and helped steer him into his many career accomplishments.  After working
in the banking world, Boozer went on to work for the Alabama State Department
of Insurance.  As World War II got into full swing, Boozer served as a naval
officer from 1943 to 1946.  After the war, Boozer returned to the state
insurance job, and in the next 13 years,  Boozer would  also serve as
Treasurer and General Manager of the Dixie Sporting Goods Company, and he would
become a  partner in a Cris Craft franchise.  In   1959,
he became President and Treasurer of the Cotton States Life Insurance Company
in Tuscaloosa.  He stayed at Cotton States until 1973, when Insurance giant
ALFA aquired Cotton States.  Boozer served as a senior Vice President for
ALFA until 1981, then he returned to the banking industry, serving on the board
of the Colonial BancGroup.

Boozer was always busy and took on all
kinds of challenges.  He served on boards for the Alabama Safety Council,
the National Kidney Foundation of Alabama, The State Cancer Society, the Girl
Scouts, Leukemia Society, the Alabama Heart Association, Salvation Army, and various
insurance and business councils.  He also lent his time and skills
to the Boy Scouts, YMCA and American Legion.  Boozer was recongized for his
philanthropy and contributions with  the Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award
and his 1999 election to the Alabama Business Hall Of Fame.  Boozer died
in 2000, leaving behind a legacy few Alabamians will ever rival, including
a lifetime profesional baseball average of .418!
Thanks to the University of Alabama web site and the Alabama State Archives Site