New Athletic Center Built on Shoulders of Former Players

CHARLESTON, S.C. - "This kid better be good if he’s going to wear my number," said one football alumnus during Charleston Southern University’s Football Alumni Preview Night in the new Athletic Center this past Monday evening.

Football Alumni representing teams from the club teams of the 1980s through last year’s team toured the facility and heard about the upcoming season from Head Coach Jay Mills.

"It’s impressive; it will be a lot closer on game day," said Antonio Simmons ’02 while he and some of his former teammates toured the facility together.

"We miss the camaraderie, but we still stay close," said Paul Herman ’01. Simmons and Herman estimate there are probably 25-30 former players from the 1996-2000 era coaching in the Charleston metro area.

J.W. Myers ’09 and Clayton Coffman ’09, ’10 MBA, walked through the building with mixed emotions. They went up against some of the big teams whose game guarantees helped fund the facility.

"We’re jealous, but we’re also proud of what we accomplished," said Myers.

Mills acknowledged the players who have worked hard to get the program where it is today. "This facility is built on the shoulders of the past players," he said.

Former players have been given the opportunity to buy a spot for their names in their former lockers. Dr. Rick Brewer, vice president for student affairs and athletics, said former teammates of the three players who passed away while in the program, Eddie Gadson, Kevin Keyes and Scott Wehnes, have already purchased the players spots.

In referencing all the players of the past, Mills said, "Facilities make a difference, no doubt about it. But people make the place."

The Athletic Center is phase one of a three-phase building complex to benefit athletics. Phase one houses locker rooms for football, men’s track, women’s track and training facilities.

To see the new Athletic Building, as well as the alumnus present at the Preview Night, click here.