It's been quite a ride for Compton College baseball head coach Shannon Williams, who just completed his 21st season in guiding the paths of student-athletes.

On Sunday, Williams was honored by being selected for the 2024 Dodgers Teacher Appreciation Award. He got the thrill of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Dodgers-Cincinnati Reds game at Chavez Ravine. 

In a twist of irony, one of the umpires at the game was a former player of Williams at Compton--Malachi Moore. Moore learned to become an ump at Compton's Major League Baseball Youth Academy, the home diamond for Compton baseball.

Williams teaching accomplishments included his being named the 2022 Compton Community District Faculty Member of the Year.

His work with the (RBI) Reviving Baseball Inter Cities program has helped many youths from South Central LA have a positive experience through playing baseball.

As a manager for the RBI program, his teams won five World Series titles (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006) and made nine finals appearances. 

Collaborating with the sponsorship by MLB and the Dodgers, Williams work with the RBI program and his success at the community college level in moving student-athletes to the 4-year university level on playing scholarships has helped him become a special individual within Compton Athletics.

Coach Williams with members of the Compton Athletics staff who joined him on his Dodgers Day