Inducted 1984
Sports: Baseball, Basketball (1959-61)
Coaches: Jim Mallory (Baseball), Earl Smith (Basketball)

As a member of both the East Carolina baseball and basketball teams from 1959-61, Lawrence "Cotton" Clayton was named All-America in both sports as well as being named to the All-North State Conference and all-district teams.

He led the 1961 Pirate baseball team to the NAIA national championship as the team's leading hitter, while playing outfield and third base.

In basketball, Cotton was the team's scoring average leader in 1961, scoring 313 points and averaging 14.9 points a game. The same season, Clayton also led the Pirates in rebounding (9.9 rpg), and field goal percentage, shooting 61 percent.

Following graduation, Clayton went on to play in the Baltimore Orioles organization for seven years.