Thomas Gerald “Jerry” Smith Sr., a devoted �㽶�� alumnus whose warmth, generosity, and enduring school spirit made him a familiar presence on campus for decades, died Tuesday, March 10, at his home in Greenville. He was in the 100th year of his life. 

To those who knew him — students, fellow alumni, church members, and friends — he was simply “Mr. Jerry,” a man whose enthusiasm for life and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on generations of Blue Hose.

Born July 19, 1926, in Liberty, South Carolina, Smith grew up largely in Seneca and graduated from Seneca High School in 1943. 

His early adulthood was shaped by service during World War II, when he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 and trained as a right waist gunner on the B-29 bomber before the war ended. 

Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Smith enrolled at �㽶�� using benefits from the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 — the G.I. Bill — joining thousands of returning veterans who pursued higher education in the postwar years. 

Because his benefits covered only three years of tuition, Smith completed his degree in business in an accelerated timeframe and graduated with the Class of 1950. 

That same determination would characterize much of his life.

After college, Smith initially worked at his father’s automobile dealership in Seneca before beginning a long career in the insurance industry. Most of his professional life was spent with Allstate Insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greenville, where he eventually served as a district sales manager. 

But Smith’s work was only one part of a life defined by service, faith, and family.

He and his wife, Lillis Brown Smith — whom he met when they were just children and married in 1949 — shared a partnership that lasted seven decades until her death in 2019. 

Together they built a large and close-knit family that now includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Smith was also deeply committed to his church. A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greenville for more than 60 years, he sang in the choir and remained active in the church’s youth program well into his 80s and early 90s, earning the affectionate nickname “Mr. Jerry” from teenagers he mentored. 

Even in retirement, he maintained an energy and positivity that friends said seemed to defy age.

“Smith is as gregarious as they come, with an infectious smile and an exuberant air that belies his 97 years,” a �㽶�� story noted when he returned to campus in 2024 for the college’s 141st Commencement. 

That commencement marked one of the most memorable moments of Smith’s long relationship with his alma mater.

Nearly 74 years after graduating, Smith walked across the stage at Vance Plaza for the first time — an opportunity he missed in 1950 because he had already begun working and supporting his young family. The moment drew a standing ovation from students and faculty alike.

“It was exhilarating,” Smith said afterward. “I just couldn’t believe that it would happen in my lifetime. The students stood up for me and I really felt loved.” 

Smith’s connection to �㽶�� extended far beyond that symbolic walk across the stage. Over the years, he and his wife established the Lillis B. and Thomas Gerald Smith Sr. Scholarship Fund and supported numerous campus initiatives, including the Neville Renewed Campaign, the Championship Spirit Athletic Facilities Initiative, and the Scotsman Club. 

He was also a fixture at campus events — football games, alumni gatherings, and celebrations — often driving from Greenville to Clinton simply to spend time with fellow Blue Hose.

“Jerry represented the very best of �㽶��,” said �㽶�� president Dr. Anita Gustafson. “He believed deeply in the mission of this institution and in the power of education to shape lives. But what people remember most about Jerry wasn’t just his generosity — it was his joy. He showed up with a smile, a story, and an enthusiasm for �㽶�� that lifted everyone around him.”

For many alumni, Smith’s friendliness was as memorable as his philanthropy.

Amanda Dowdle ’14, director of annual campaigns and development officer in the college’s Office of Advancement, recalled meeting Smith and his wife years ago at football games where they sat near her grandparents.

“Jerry Smith loved �㽶�� and proudly carried the Blue Hose spirit throughout his life,” Dowdle said. “He had a talent for making people feel special and was known for his humor and great storytelling. Even at 99, he stayed positive, witty, and devoted to his Blue Hose. His kindness and pride in �㽶�� left a lasting impression on many alumni.”

Smith himself often joked that his circle of friends grew younger as he grew older, but he relished the connections.

He frequently spoke about recruiting his great-grandchildren to attend �㽶�� one day — another sign of his enduring loyalty to the school that helped shape his life.

While Smith lived nearly a century, those who knew him say the true measure of his life was not its length but its spirit.

He believed strongly in faith, family, and encouraging others to be their best selves — values he carried quietly but consistently throughout his life.

As one tribute described him, Smith was a relentlessly positive person who delighted in helping others bring out the best in themselves. 

And for the many people who knew him simply as “Mr. Jerry,” his presence — cheerful, welcoming, and unmistakably Blue Hose — will not soon be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, on 7 Shannon Drive in Greenville, S.C. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service.

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CLINTON, S.C. – �㽶�� Director of Athletics Dee Nichols has named  as the 18^th head football coach in program history, announced on Monday morning.

Rahl – who holds 24 years of experience as an assistant coach, including three FBS programs – has served as �㽶��’s offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and offensive recruiting coordinator for the past two seasons. He takes over a program that reached new heights in 2025 with his guidance, helping the Blue Hose post a 16-8 record since arriving.

Presbyterian will host an introductory press conference for Rahl next Monday, January 5 at 1:00 PM. The event will be held at the Ross E. Templeton Center.

“We are proud to welcome our new head coach to the �㽶�� family, even though he is no stranger to the program,” commented Nichols. “Matt has been an integral part of our success over the last two seasons. He is an individual who values character, accountability, and team culture as much as wins on the field.

“Coach Rahl will continue Blue Hose Football’s winning tradition with a focus on his players’ academic excellence and character development,” remarked �㽶�� President Dr. Anita Gustafson. “He is the right man to take the helm of our football program, and I am excited about the future of Blue Hose Football.”

Rahl developed the �㽶�� offensive line to record numbers in 2025, setting a new single-season school record with 2,124 rushing yards as the Blue Hose achieved their third-ever 10-win campaign. Presbyterian reached as high as #16 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, another all-time best.

“I am extremely honored and thankful to be named the Head Football Coach at Presbyterian,” Rahl said. “I’m truly grateful to Dee Nichols, Dr. Anita Gustafson, and the �㽶�� administration for their belief in me to lead this program.

“I cannot wait to get back to campus with our team and begin to work towards our goals! Go Blue Hose! Win Today!”

Presbyterian (2024-Present)

– Rahl’s elevation to Head Coach at �㽶�� can be traced back to the team’s extraordinary 2025 journey, a season that saw a school-record 11-game winning streak and numerous program milestones.

– The Blue Hose won their final four contests of the 2024 season by an average of 18 points per game, carrying that momentum to a 7-0 start the following year. �㽶�� was included in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and Stats Perform national rankings simultaneously for six consecutive weeks, the longest stretch for any team in the Pioneer Football League since 2009.

– �㽶�� rushed for 26 total touchdowns last season, ranking 16^th in FCS with an average of 34 points per game. The Blue Hose produced 417 total yards per game (27^th nationally) and also ranked inside the FCS top 30 in fewest sacks allowed.

– Eleven Presbyterian players were voted all-conference last month – another program record – with six of them on the offensive end. Quarterback  was a finalist for the FCS Walter Payton Award and was chosen as the PFL Offensive Player of the Year. Tight end  was also named a Second-Team All-American by Stats Perform and FCS Football Central.

– �㽶�� went undefeated at Bailey Memorial Stadium last fall, the first time that they’d managed a full season without a home loss since 1998 (minimum six games). Dating back to 2024, Presby has won eight in a row on their home turf.

Missouri Southern State (2020-23)

– Prior to joining the staff at �㽶��, Rahl spent four seasons at his alma mater, Missouri Southern State University, where he was the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator.

– The Lions improved their overall record in each of Rahl’s last three years calling plays, ranking seventh in Division II for fewest sacks allowed in 2023.

– Running back Nathan Glades and tight end Deontay Campbell were both named Second Team All-MIAA in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

– Rahl’s final game as a Missouri Southern staff member was a 47-41 overtime victory versus #19 Missouri Western. Opponents only reached three tackles-for-a-loss per game against Rahl’s offense, the second-fewest in Division II.

UTEP (2018-19)

– Rahl was hired to his third Football Bowl Subdivision school before rejoining Missouri Southern, becoming the Recruiting Coordinator and later Offensive Quality Control at the University of Texas at El Paso.

– In two years with the Miners, Rahl assisted all phases of special teams and oversaw all aspects of UTEP recruiting. In 2019, UTEP ranked inside the FBS top 15 in fewest penalty yards per game and blocked four field goal attempts throughout the year (10^th nationally).

McKendree (2014-17)

– Prior to UTEP, Rahl spent four seasons as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach at McKendree University in Illinois. Before his last year with the Bearcats, he was promoted to Associate Head Coach.

– McKendree posted a 16-5 combined record in back-to-back campaigns with Rahl directing the offense, establishing 13 GLVC individual and team records along the way.

– Taking over a program that had endured three straight losing seasons before his arrival, Rahl engineered a dramatic statistical turnaround and was named a finalist for the FootballScoop.com Division II National Coordinator of the Year award in 2015.

– That year, the Bearcats stacked up 489 offensive yards per game, good enough to rank eighth in the country. They lost only 10 turnovers in 10 games (the fourth-fewest in all of D-II) and registered 39 points per contest.

– In 2016, McKendree closed the season with five consecutive victories while surpassing 40 points in three of those affairs. They realized eight wins for the second time in as many years despite shifting through four different starting quarterbacks due to injury.

Wyoming (2009-13)

– Before his profitable tenure at McKendree, Rahl was a member of Wyoming’s staff in the Mountain West Conference over a period of five seasons. He served as the Cowboys’ recruiting coordinator over the duration of his time there, as well as a two-year stint coaching the defensive line.

– Wyoming’s first season with Rahl on the sideline ended with a victory in the 2009 New Mexico Bowl over Fresno State (35-28). The Cowboys became bowl-eligible with a one-point win at Colorado State in the regular season finale.

– Two years later (2011), Wyoming garnered eight regular-season wins for the first time since 1998 and would return to the New Mexico Bowl once more. In his only instance coaching the defensive side of the ball, Rahl’s Cowboys ranked second in FBS for most turnovers forced and ninth in turnover margin.

– When Rahl was hired at Wyoming, he became the program’s first-ever director of recruiting. By the time he departed for McKendree, Wyoming had witnessed its highest-ranked recruiting class in school history.

Missouri (2007-08)

– Rahl was given his first job at an FBS institution at the University of Missouri under legendary head coach Gary Pinkel. The Tigers achieved humongous success in the two years that Rahl was a Graduate Assistant, posting a combined record of 22-6.

– Beginning the 2007 season outside the AP top 25, Missouri ended up with 12 total victories to set a then-program record. After defeating second-ranked Kansas 36-28 in the regular season finale, the Tigers would be granted the #1 AP ranking for the first time since 1960.

– Missouri won the Big 12 North Division in both of Rahl’s seasons there, thus qualifying for the Conference Championship Game on both occasions. They won the 2007 Cotton Bowl over #25 Arkansas (38-7) and were also the victors of the 2008 Alamo Bowl against #22 Northwestern (30-23 in overtime).

– The Tigers ranked in the NCAA top ten in total offense and scoring offense over this period, while running back Tony Temple set a Cotton Bowl single-game record with 281 rushing yards along with four touchdowns.

Winona State (2003-06)

– Before climbing up the ranks at Missouri, Rahl spent four seasons with the D-II Winona State Warriors in Minnesota and contributed to a 38-10 record over that stretch. He started with a GA position, before later being promoted to coaching the offensive line and special teams.

– Winona State qualified for the Division II Playoffs in three of Rahl’s four seasons, going on four separate winning streaks of at least five games.

– In the 2004 season, the Warriors averaged a whopping 43 points per game to close the regular season with eight straight wins. They would one-up those numbers the following year, putting up 47 points per game during a seven-game window.

Beginnings at Missouri Southern State (1999-2002)

– A native of Union, Mo., Rahl enrolled at Missouri Southern State as a tight end and suited up for three seasons at the turn of the century. He spent the 2002 season as a student assistant coach, working with the offensive line and tight end groups as he moved towards his college diploma.

– He would receive a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Missouri Southern in 2003, going on to earn a master’s in educational leadership from Winona State in 2005.

– Matt and his wife Carrie have three children: Hattie, Maggie, and Locke.

THE RAHL PORTFOLIO

2024-25: Presbyterian (Offensive Line + Run Game Coordinator + Offensive Recruiting)

2021-23: Missouri Southern State (Associate Head Coach + Offensive Coordinator)

2020: Missouri Southern State (Associate Head Coach + Offensive Coordinator + Offensive Line)

2019: UTEP (Offensive Quality Control)

2018: UTEP (Recruiting Coordinator)

2017: McKendree (Associate Head Coach + Offensive Coordinator)

2014-16: McKendree (Offensive Coordinator + Offensive Line)

2009-10, 2013: Wyoming (Recruiting Coordinator)

2011-12: Wyoming (Recruiting Coordinator + Defensive Line)

2007-08: Missouri (Graduate Assistant)

2005-06: Winona State (Offensive Line + Special Teams Coordinator)

2003-04: Winona State (Graduate Assistant)

2002: Missouri Southern State (Student Assistant)

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

1999-01: Missouri Southern State (Tight End)

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capped one of the greatest seasons in its 113-year history with a flurry of postseason honors, including a school-record 11 All-Conference selections, five All-Academic picks, a Freshman All-American, and two major awards. 

The accolades follow a transformational 10-win campaign—the program’s third ever—and a rise to No. 16 in the Poll, the Blue Hose’s highest national standing since joining Division I.

A season that rewrote the record books

Presbyterian shattered multiple milestones in 2025. The Blue Hose went undefeated at home for the first time since 1998, amassed an 11-game winning streak, and produced more all-conference selections than any team in school history. 

Six players earned spots on the All-Pioneer Football League’s First Team: quarterback Collin Hurst, wide receiver Cincere Gill, tight end Nathan Levicki, defensive lineman Carter Szydlowski, linebacker Boyce Bankhead, and defensive back Caleb Francis. Five more earned Second Team recognition: running back Justin Montgomery, all-purpose back Zach Switzer, offensive lineman JT Hill, defensive lineman Robert Porter, and freshman defensive back Camron Barber. The 11 honorees surpassed the previous school record of 10 set in 1987.

Rookie punt returner Darriel Harper added national recognition by being named a Freshman All-American by ’s , one of only five PFL players selected. Together, the awards marked Presbyterian’s decisive arrival on the national FCS stage.

Hurst makes history

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Collin Hurst earned the conference’s highest offensive honor for the second straight year, becoming the first player in PFL history to win the Offensive Freshman of the Year followed by the Offensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. He is also a top-30 finalist for the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

But Hurst emphasized that his award reflects team success more than personal achievement. 

“Individual awards are cool, but everything I earned came because of our coaches, my teammates, and a senior group that refused to let this season be anything less than special,” Hurst said. “Quarterbacks get a lot of the glory, but this was a team award from top to bottom.” 

He noted that the team’s confidence took root early, long before outside observers took notice. 

“It wasn’t a surprise to us,” he said. “When those first big wins came, they opened eyes nationally, but inside our walls, we already believed.”

Englehart named Coach of the Year

Fourth-year head coach Steve Englehart was voted PFL Coach of the Year and AFCA Region 4 Coach of the Year, while also being named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the national FCS Coach of the Year. Like his quarterback, Englehart pointed away from himself when discussing the honor. On Dec. 15, the college announced that the American Football Coaches Association has named Englehart as its National Coach of the Year.

“Awards like this belong to the players,” he said. “Great teams are led by players, not coaches, and this senior class used the scars of the past to build a culture that refused to lose. It’s the team that is being recognized for what they have done on the field in between the white lines. It’s all of those guys doing the work, and that’s really what the award comes down to.”

Englehart added that the team’s commitment over the summer was the clearest early sign of what was to come. 

“Nearly our entire roster came back in July for voluntary workouts,” he said. “That kind of commitment told us everything. It wasn’t just about talent—it was about a team that wanted to play for one another.” 

The result was the strongest season Presbyterian has produced since joining Division I 18 years ago.

All-Academic honors highlight senior leadership

Presbyterian’s academic success matched its on-field performance. Three players—Hurst, Levicki, and Szydlowski—earned First Team All-Academic honors, while defensive back Zeb Stroup and kicker Peter Lipscombe received Second Team recognition. Except for Hurst, all honorees were seniors, underscoring the leadership and maturity that drove the season’s breakthrough.

‘A banner year’

�㽶�� Athletic Director Dee Nichols said the team’s achievements reflect the very best of the college’s student-athletes. 

“This was a banner year for �㽶�� football,” Nichols said. “The national attention our student-athletes and coaches received speaks not only to their success on the field, but to the culture they’ve built—one rooted in perseverance, academic excellence, and genuine love for this program. What they accomplished this season elevated �㽶�� on the national stage, and we could not be prouder.”

Foundation for the future

Both Hurst and Englehart emphasized that this season represents the beginning of a new era rather than the conclusion of one. Hurst said he plans to refine his footwork, mechanics, and command of the offense in the offseason, despite his record-setting year. Englehart added that the leadership and continuity developed over the past four years provide a strong blueprint for sustained success. As Presbyterian looks toward 2026, the Blue Hose carry more than awards—they carry proof that their long rebuild has blossomed into one of the most compelling stories in FCS football.

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Zeb Stroup sees the game differently now. As a �㽶�� senior on the Blue Hose football team, he doesn’t just read defensive formations—he analyzes them through spreadsheets and statistical models. But his unique perspective on the gridiron reflects something deeper: a transformation that happened over four years at �㽶��, where he discovered that true strength comes not from avoiding adversity, but from conquering it.

“Being a Blue Hose means never giving up and always pushing forward,” says Zeb, whose journey embodies that philosophy. When he tore his ACL for the second time during his sophomore year, most athletes would have hung up their cleats. Zeb saw it as data point one in his comeback story.

From Setback to Comeback

“I thought my sports career was over,” Zeb said. But with the support of �㽶��’s athletic training staff, he didn’t just recover—he returned stronger, proving that resilience isn’t just physical, it’s mental. That determination fueled not only his junior year comeback but also the team’s memorable season, including a victory at St. Thomas In Minnesota.

“Walking around the Mall of America for a couple of hours, then winning—it was so much fun,” he said. 

The packed stands at Homecoming, where �㽶�� broke its attendance record, gave the team that extra surge of motivation.

“Knowing we had fans rooting for us really gave us that last bit of motivation to go out and perform,” he said. But Zeb’s impact extends far beyond the football field.

Where Football Meets Analytics

Zeb merged his love of football with his analytical mind during his senior capstone project. He used data analysis to determine the most effective defensive play calls for the 2024 season. He manipulated an entire season’s worth of plays to identify which defensive strategies would most likely limit opponents to three yards or fewer.

“In successful football programs, work isn’t put in during the season—it’s done way before, in August and July,” Zeb said. “Similarly in my project, most of the work comes early on in refining and understanding the data. You become comfortable with the data, or football field, and are then able to get out of it what you want.”

This unique blend of athletic experience and analytical prowess sets Zeb apart. He’s not just a player who studies film; he’s an analyst who’s lived the game from the inside out.

Leadership Beyond the Field

�㽶�� taught Zeb to juggle multiple roles simultaneously. As a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the football team, he’s volunteered at elementary schools, helped build decks for elderly community members, and participated in Hurricane Helene cleanup efforts.

“I learned how to balance academics, athletics, and leadership roles,” he says, “and in the process built real discipline, time-management skills, and a stronger sense of responsibility.”

The professors at �㽶�� made this balancing act possible through their communication and support.

“The professors are very good communicators, which has made the academic side of things very pleasant and smooth for me,” Zeb said.

The Next Play

As graduation approaches, Zeb has his sights set on the NFL—not as a player, but as a sports analyst. He plans to pursue either an MBA or Master of Business Analytics while playing his final years of football, combining his passion for the game with his talent for data.

His advice to incoming student-athletes reflects the wisdom earned through two ACL tears and countless hours both on the field and in the classroom: “Just be where your feet are. �㽶�� will always be special in my heart because I took the time to stay and grow relationships with the people around me. Stay committed to the people around you, and everything will work out.”

From injured athlete to comeback story, from player to analyst, from individual to leader—Zeb Stroup embodies what it means to be raised to your highest potential. He found his edge at �㽶��, where data meets determination, and setbacks become setups for something greater.

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As loved ones gather in Richmond, Va., this week to memorialize the late Jim Shakespeare ‘59, �㽶�� mourns the loss of a tennis titan whose career as a player and coach was part of the Blue Hose program’s Golden Age.

Shakespeare passed away at age 88 on May 11 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at West End Assembly of God Church in Richmond, followed by an open house reception from 4-8 p.m. at the Regency Woods Clubhouse.

At age nine, Shakespeare found his passion on the sun-baked tennis courts of Hollywood, Fla., where his family had relocated. A high school star at South Broward High School, Shakespeare earned a scholarship to play college tennis for legendary coach Jim Leighton at �㽶��.

Shakespeare was a member of the teams that won the S.C. State Championship each season from 1956-59 and was an integral part of the Blue Hose squad that took down national powerhouse Miami in 1957. He served as team captain his senior year and, in 1959, won the state doubles championship alongside teammate Harry Hoffman.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English, Shakespeare went on to earn his master’s degree as a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at Duke University. After four years of teaching at George School in Newtown, Penn., Shakespeare and his wife, Mary, moved their family to Clinton, so he could teach English and coach men’s tennis at his alma mater.

During his eight-year tenure at the helm of the Blue Hose Men’s Tennis Team, Shakespeare’s squads won more than 80 percent of their matches and scored big wins against Division I programs like the University of Miami and Penn State University.  His coaching produced six NAIA All-Americans and five top three finishes nationally, and in 1973, Shakespeare was named NAIA Coach of the Year.

In 1978, the Shakespeares moved to Richmond, where Jim Shakespeare coached and taught until the age of 80.

Shakespeare’s son, J.C. Shakespeare, recalls his father’s love for the game and how it shaped his life.

“Dad loved playing tennis, thinking about tennis, and talking about tennis,” J.C. Shakespeare said. “Some of my fondest memories were at Buck Hill Falls, where he was director of tennis for nearly a decade. He would give instructional talks and host exhibition matches with excellent players from all around the country. He amazed me with his knowledge of and excitement for the game; it was contagious.”

Teaching young people on and off the court and in and out of the classroom was just as important.

“His influence on his players, especially those from foreign countries, was immense and long lasting,” J.C. Shakespeare said. “He coached them in tennis, but more importantly loved and nurtured them into becoming the best versions of their emerging adult selves. He was able to offer many of his players summer employment, and made them believe they could create careers around the sport of tennis.”

In True Blue fashion, Jim and Mary Shakespeare opened their home to numerous tennis players, especially those recruited from other countries.

“His players were a constant presence in our home, and it was thrilling to grow up with a bunch of college guys as friends and mentors,” J.C. said.

Jim Shakespeare was also a dedicated father and husband remembered for leading epic family vacations, having a devout faith, and sharing a love of English literature.

“My father’s love for tennis was only surpassed by his undying love for my mother,” J.C. said. “June 22 would have been their 64th wedding anniversary, and they truly stuck together through thick and thin over the years. Dad would greet her every day with, ‘Hello, Beautiful,’ and he never let her go more than a few hours without hearing, ‘I love you.’ They shared devotions together every morning for many years, and it was soothing as a kid to hear Dad’s deep, resonant voice reading the Bible or sharing prayers with Mom.”

In April, 2022, the �㽶�� community – including numerous former players and friends – gathered on campus to pay tribute to Jim Shakespeare with a ceremony celebrating his beautiful life and illustrious career.

In addition to his wife and son, Shakespeare is survived by his daughter, Susan Shakespeare Gill, and his five grandchildren – James Ian Gill, Kathryn Elizabeth Gill, Mary Sophia Shakespeare, Jocelyn Collette Shakespeare, and Willa Mae Shakespeare.

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The Laurens native was enshrined in the hall at the S.C. Golf Association’s 20^th annual Golf Day on Jan. 13 in Columbia.

“I’d be less than forthright if I said it’s not one of the greatest honors of my life,” Todd said. “Golf has been a big part of my life – maybe more than it should have been – but it is something that has always been dear to me.”

Todd’s influence on the game at the state and local level is profound. During an amateur career that spans nearly four decades, he has claimed nine Musgrove Mill Club championships, seven SCGA Four-Ball titles, an SCGA Mid-Amateur championship in 2005, a Carolinas Golf Association Mid-Amateur title in 2007, three father-son titles with his sons and a 2019 Senior Azalea Championship. Three times in recent years, Todd has also been named Senior Player of the Year by the SCGA.

At the national and international levels, Todd claimed the 2017 Senior Jones Cup title in 2017 and competed in the U.S. Mid-Amateur, the British Senior Amateurs, and the U.S. Senior Amateurs, where he advanced to the quarterfinals in 2019.

Off the course, Todd served on the CGA board for 13 years, including a term as president in 2010-11. He and his family have been the title sponsor of the S.C. Junior Golf Association Thomas D. Todd All-Stars Championship since 2007 to honor their late father.

Todd began his collegiate career at Wofford College before transferring to �㽶�� to play for former golf and football head coach John Perry. But the origins of his love for the game began much earlier – as far back as he can remember, Todd said.

“I’ve played golf my whole life,” he said. “I remember being out at Lakeside Country Club in Laurens at age five or six hitting balls around.”

Most athletes today specialize in one sport, but Todd enjoyed playing a variety of sports all year round – football, basketball, and baseball – for Laurens District High School. But long after his careers in those sports ended, golf – and the love of it – remained.

“Maybe it was good for me to play other sports because I didn’t get burned out on golf,” Todd said. “It also helped me learn to be part of a team and allowed me to enjoy competition. I still love to compete. I still want to win as much today as I ever did.”

Competition in golf, though, is never only against other players, and Todd said he continues to battle against his fiercest adversary – his lowest score.

“No two days on the course are ever the same,” he said. “If you think something’s going to work for you or you think you’ve got it all figured it out, you really don’t. Things change every day and there are no guarantees. It’s like I told my sons when they started playing. The better you get, the lower your scores are going to be, but you’ll still have some bad days. They happen in golf where you have bad runs or spurts. But I still love playing even when I’m not playing well.

“I’ve said this for awhile – you don’t know how many good seasons you have left. I started playing senior golf at 55, which was a lot of fun playing against people I played junior golf with through the years. If you’re playing basketball or football, you’re generally not going to be able to play competitively into your 60s or 70s. But I’ve seen guys who were playing golf well into their 70s and 80s who just love the game and being outside and hitting the ball.”

Todd said competing with his sons in amateur events adds another layer of joy to the game, as is embracing the sport as metaphor.

“As in life, you just take it one shot at a time,” he said. “I know it’s a cliché, but you have to forget the bad shots. Everybody’s going to hit them, I don’t care if you’re Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus.”

For Hall of Famer Walter Todd, it is obvious he kept the bad shots to a minimum – with a lot of practice and a lot of support.

“I am very thankful for my wife, Lynne, and my family for their support throughout my career,” he said. “I’ve tried to keep my faith and my family as a top priority even while I spend a lot of time with the game. I could not have done it without their support.”

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The �㽶�� Women’s Wrestling team competed this month in the first annual Trailblazer Duals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at the University of Iowa

by Sam Hauff

IOWA CITY, IOWA – You don’t know what history sounds like until you hear it with your own two ears – but this wasn’t just history, it was HERstory.

The �㽶�� Blue Hose Women’s Wrestling team traveled to the University of Iowa in Iowa City to compete in the first ever NCAA Division I Women’s Wrestling Quad. The event, rightly dubbed the “Trailblazer Duals,” featured the only NCAA DI schools in the country to offer women’s wrestling as a collegiate sport: the �㽶�� Blue Hose, the Sacred Heart University Pioneers, the Lindenwood University Lions and the host, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.

“The atmosphere in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena was electric. Every movement warranted some sort of reaction from a crowd filled with excited and enthusiastic wrestling fans,” said �㽶�� head coach Brian Vutianitis.

History was the sound of a roaring crowd and fans shouting “TWOOO!” History was the sound of fire cannons blasting on the matsides as competitors went to cordially shake hands before they battled for six long, grueling minutes. History was the sound of athletes cheering and high-fiving, harmonizing with the sounds of other athletes weeping and consoling. History was all the sounds that could be heard inside the infamous Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“The arena was bleeding black and gold and gigantic in size,” said freshman wrestler Lilly Luttrell. “The moment you walked out there were cameras, spotlights, fog and even pyrotechnics in the works. It was the kind of stuff you see on T.V. for men’s wrestling, but only this time it was for the women of this sport.”

The Trailblazer Duals also marked another glass-ceiling-breaking moment for women in sport with the largest crowd in history at a women’s wrestling event, the attendance totaling at 8,207 spectators.

“Competing in front of 8,207 people is insane to even believe,” said freshman wrestler Maddie Kubicki. “It just shows how much this sport has grown and how women’s wrestling is constantly making history in its own way. I have no words for what it was like to be surrounded by thousands of fans watching us make history. All I could do was just take it all in and enjoy this rare experience.”

After falling to the No. 8-ranked Hawkeyes (44-1) and the fifth-ranked Sacred Pioneers (26-18), the 13th-ranked Blue Hose picked up their first dual win of the season against 11th-ranked Lindenwood with a closely fought 25-20 victory. This upset in the rankings was highlighted by two back-to-back pins by Kubicki at 155 lbs. and Henlee Haynes at 170 lbs.

According to �㽶�� sophomore Paige Wehrmeister, who picked up a pair of wins on Sunday, the event was vaster than square footage and spectator numbers compared to the gymnasiums with “around 8 people in the stands” of some of the dual events from the past season.

Kubicki agreed.

“All eyes were on us,” she said.  I’m used to coaches and parents yelling in a gymnasium.”

Numbers and hype did not deter the Blue Hose, though. They said the noise is just background static when it comes to what happens between whistles.

“It just felt like wrestling because that’s what I did,” said freshman Alyssa Mahan, who went 2-1 on the day, picking up a pin and a 13-4 decision win. “The only thing on my mind was just to go out there, do my thing, score points and wrestle hard through every position.”

“When wrestling, I usually don’t focus on who’s watching me, I just go out there and fight each match with everything I have,” said Kubicki.

Vutianitis holds a similar attitude toward coaching as Mahan and Kubicki hold toward competing.

 “I wouldn’t say coaching in front of a crowd this size is much different than coaching in our home gym, only because I make it my job to separate any emotion of our surroundings from the goals of the event,” he said. “I am grateful to have been a part of such a largely attended event but coaching, to me, is very much the same no matter where or what event we are attending.”

Any other athlete or coach could easily let the pressure of the overwhelming percentage of attendance wearing an opposing team’s colors or cheering in the moments where your face is in the mat get to them, but not �㽶�� Women’s Wrestling.

“You know going into Carver-Hawkeye that the crowd isn’t going to be on your side,” said Wehrmeister.

Iowa’s team brought the numbers in – of course. A Big 10 school with a men’s wrestling team holding 24 national championships and one of the most dedicated fan bases in college wrestling, people are going to want to see how the women’s team measures up.

What Iowa brought was big, but what the Blue Hose brought was equally important.

In the locker room before the team walked out to be greeted by their opponents, there was more media and a crowd much larger than any college women’s wrestling team has ever been used to. �㽶��’s team quietly lined the chairs of a meeting room in the visitor’s locker room, about 50 paces away from the sounds, cameras and lights that would soon strike the athlete’s faces.

This was the calm before the storm.

“Don’t get it mixed up,” Coach Vutianitis said, scanning the room to make eye contact with each of the athletes. “The crowd may be cheering for them, but this moment is for you. Division I Women’s Wrestling doesn’t exist without you. This moment doesn’t exist without you.”

He said all of this in reference to the fact �㽶�� was the first NCAA DI school in the nation to offer a sanctioned varsity women’s wrestling team in 2019. Since then, two other schools, Sacred Heart and Iowa, added women’s wrestling with Lindenwood moving up from Division II this season.

Those thousands of Hawkeye fans would not exist without a small liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, with one-eighth of the student body of that crowd, adding the sport to its roster five years ago. The investment was history which continues to breed history, each year by tenfold.

The history made this Sunday only exists with �㽶�� Women’s Wrestling. �㽶�� is the past, present and future of Division I women’s wrestling, inside and outside of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Blue Hose have a lone message: This is only the beginning.

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�㽶�� warmly welcomed alumni back to campus this Homecoming Weekend to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments on and off campus.

Three events in particular were all about former Blue Hose – the annual ROTC Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new McIntosh Athletic Center and Templeton renovations, and the annual Alumni Association Awards.

ROTC Hall of Fame

Retired Col. Jim Kennedy, Jr. ‘88 was the 2023 inductee into the Highlander Battalion ROTC Hall of Fame.

Kennedy retired in 2014 after more than 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, which included air defense artillery commands in Germany, Kuwait, and Pakistan, as well as assignments at the Pentagon. During his years of military service, Kennedy earned the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Army Staff Badge.

Kennedy thanked the many people he served with – superiors and subordinates – who taught him valuable lessons about leadership and teamwork.

“I think of all the people who helped me get here,” he said. “Those who developed me with my technical and leadership skills and those who supported me – and us – in very tough times throughout our career, both professional and personal. They’re all role models that I respect and I want to emulate and make them proud. My name is on the plaque, but there are hundreds of names on that plaque, as well. You just can’t see them.”

In addition to this chemistry degree from �㽶��, Kennedy earned a Master of Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, a Master of Military Arts and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master of Education from George Mason University.

Jim and his wife, Kimberly, a 1989 graduate of �㽶��, have one daughter, Jamie Ann.

Championship Spirit ribbon-cutting ceremonies

�㽶�� celebrated the completion of its $8.2 million Championship Spirit capital campaign with a pair of ribbon cuttings for the brand-new McIntosh Athletics Center and the newly-renovated gymnasium in the Templeton Physical Education Center.

The MAC is a multi-purpose facility for �㽶��’s acrobatics and tumbling, competitive cheer, and men’s and women’s wrestling squads. The Templeton project included new scoreboards and new video boards, new seating, and the newly-renovated Bob and Betty Strock Weight Room.

In addition to recognizing the anonymous gift honoring the Strocks and the seven-figure gift from �㽶�� alumnus John McIntosh ’61 to fund construction of the MAC, the college also unveiled permanent tributes to three storied figures from the Blue Hose basketball program.

The new video board on the east wall of Templeton has been named in honor of the late Dr. Fred Chapman, professor emeritus of economics and business administration. Chapman is remembered as a passionate supporter of Blue Hose student-athletes and a fiery presence in the stands, said alumnus Steve Crowe ‘73.

The video board above the homestand entrance was dedicated to former All-American point guard and South Atlantic Conference Hall of Famer Bret Jones ‘93. Introduced by his wife, Ashby Jones ‘95, Jones is best remembered for leading the Blue Hose to one of its finest seasons and a national ranking during his senior year under former head basketball coach Gregg Nibert.

Nibert, too, was honored at the ceremony in Templeton. �㽶��’s all-time leader in wins for men’s basketball was acknowledged for delivering championships and national recognition as one of the finest small college coaches in the country.

In recognition of his contributions to the college’s athletic program, Nibert will forever be linked to the gym where he did most of his coaching, as the college announced that the court will permanently be known as the Gregg Nibert Court.

�㽶�� president Dr. Anita Gustafson thanked the many people who supported the Championship Spirit campaign and continue to support the college’s student-athletes.

“Many of our alumni who are here today were student-athletes themselves and nearly half of our student body are athletes,” she said. “So, today is possible because of the hard work and dedication and generosity of so many people who are here.”

�㽶�� Alumni Association Awards Ceremony

The college’s annual Homecoming tradition of honoring its most prominent alumni continued on Saturday morning.

The �㽶�� Alumni Association presented Robert Thomas ’94, the chief operating officer of Alice Company, a private investment firm in Easley, with the Alumni Gold P Award, the highest honor for a �㽶�� graduate. Thomas joined the company in 2002 as its chief financial officer before taking the leadership reins in 2008.

As a lifelong Presbyterian, Thomas said �㽶�� has always been a prominent part of his life.

“As a child, I have a vivid memory of the �㽶�� poster on the bulletin board and in a room as I walked into the sanctuary for church,” he said. “That poster was the spark that led me to �㽶��.”

Thomas added that his relationship with �㽶�� continues to yield new memories and new friends.

“Like many of you, I have great memories of my time on campus,” he said. “However, for me, the connection with �㽶�� did not end with graduation. Over the last 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to meet and serve and worship with so many people who are friends and alumni of the college.”

Retired Brig. Gen. John T. Gentry, Jr. ’91 was presented with the Thomas Aurelius Stallworth ’55 Award for embodying the character traits of the late Rev. Dr. Tom Stallworth

Gentry, who retired this year as the assistant adjutant general for the Georgia National Guard, was responsible for soldier and equipment readiness of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 78th Troop Command headquartered at Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. He is the current chair of the ROTC Council for the Highlander Battalion and a member of the �㽶�� ROTC Hall of Fame.

His deployed combat assignments include Iraq in 2005-2006 and Afghanistan in 2009-2010 and he has numerous awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

Brigadier General Gentry now serves as the assistant county manager for Glynn County in Brunswick, Ga.He is married to the former Katherine Pope ‘91 of Washington, Ga.. They have two adult children, Anna, and Caroline.

Anna Wade Sumner ’11 and Jordan Archer ’14 were named Outstanding Young Alumna and Young Alumnus, respectively.

Sumner, �㽶��’s Outstanding Senior in 2011, is an attorney with the Manning Law Firm in Greenwood and the senior assistant solicitor for the S.C. Eighth Judicial Circuit. She and her husband, Grayson, also a 2011 graduate of �㽶��, have two children – Wyatt and Margaret Ellis.

Archer, a former member of the Blue Hose men’s soccer team, is the chief operating officer of Tryon Medical Partners, one of the largest independent medical practices in the Charlotte region. He resides in Charlotte with his wife, Chapman Dunbar Archer ’13, and their two daughters, Pressley and Drayton.

Dr. David Pinckney Berry ’68 was the recipient of the 2023 Dum Vivimus Servimus Award for living out �㽶��’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

A graduate of both the Emory School of Law and the Medical University of South Carolina, Berry served as a captain and brigade surgeon the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

An ophthalmologist, Berry had devoted much of his career to restoring and preserving vision for people in under-served areas with a goal of never denying medical care to those who can’t afford it. A former �㽶�� trustee, Berry has also served on the college’s Board of Visitors and has lead seven mission trips as a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. He and his wife, Louisa, have four children and 10 grandchildren.

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