SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College Alumni Association will honor the 2018-19 men’s basketball team, three notable alumni and a college supporter on Saturday, Oct. 19, during Homecoming Weekend Oct. 18-20. At the same event, the Terrier Club will recognize the contributions of an alumnus and the members of Atlanta Invitational Golf Committee.
Highlights of the weekend also will include the Terrier Ball Auction and Gala on Friday night and the Terriers football game Saturday afternoon against the Western Carolina University Catamounts.
- Pride of Wofford Award – Wofford’s 2018-19 men’s basketball team.
- Charles H. Gray ’72 Distinguished Service Award – The Hon. Costa M. Pleicones, class of 1965, former chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, and now special counsel for Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Columbia, S.C.
- Distinguished Citizen Award – Dr. John W. Simmons, the first resident in the Family Medicine Residency at Spartanburg General Hospital, the first chief medical officer at Spartanburg Regional Hospital, and now instructor at Wofford.
- Rising Star Award – Tramaine Brown, class of 2011, external relations program manager on Apple’s Inclusion and Diversity Team in Washington, D.C.
- Distinguished Service Award – Atlanta Invitational Golf Committee, represented by Frank Herndon, class of 1980.
- Honorary Letterman Award – Barry Foy, class of 1966, founder of Britton Medical Inc., who was instrumental in the establishment of the Terrier Ball Auction and Gala, an event that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS
The awards will be presented at a ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Papadopoulos Room in the Papadopoulos Building on campus.
The Pride of Wofford Award is presented to a member of the Wofford College Alumni Association who has brought honor and distinction to the college through outstanding professional achievement.
During the 2018-19 season, the Wofford’s men’s basketball team enjoyed its most successful season ever, winning a record 30 games on the way to the college’s first NCAA Tournament win. The team also set records for regular season wins (26), consecutive wins (21) and wins against Southern Conference opponents in a single season (21). The team ran the table in the SoCon regular season and conference tournament to claim its fifth NCAA Tournament bid in the past 10 seasons. For the college, this success also constributed toward record admission applications, an 86 percent increase in visitors to social media, a 364 percent increase in visitors to the website, 1.2 million Twitter impressions and $50 million in total advertising value.
The Charles H. Gray ’72 Distinguished Service Award is presented to a member of the Wofford College Alumni Association who has distinguished himself or herself through dedicated service and commitment to the college.
The Honorable Costa M. Pleicones, class of 1965, former chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, now serves as special counsel for Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd in Columbia, S.C., advising clients on complex litigation and appellate matters. After law school, he began a 30-year career in the U.S. Army, during which he served as commander of the 12th Legal Services Organization and as a colonel in the Army Reserve. In 2015, he was elected chief justice after 15 years of service as associate justice. Pleicones has been a member the Wofford College Board of Trustees since 2013 and currently serves as secretary of the board.
The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented to a member of the community who has served a distinguished career and has contributed extraordinary service to humanity, reflecting honor upon both the recipient and Wofford College.
Dr. John Simmons is a man of firsts. Simmons was the first resident in the Family Medicine Residency at Spartanburg General Hospital (now Spartanburg Medical Center), the first chief medical officer at Spartanburg Regional Hospital and the first to propose and teach a course on health and the environment at Wofford. Throughout his medical career, Simmons has had an interest in spirituality and healing. After completing the program at Harvard University’s Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, he has instructed hundreds of people on mindfulness and meditation, including Wofford’s Lifelong Learning students. At the age of 75, he teaches Health and the Environment at Wofford and chairs the Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee.
The Rising Star Award is presented to a member of the Wofford College Alumni Association who has demonstrated professional accomplishment and continued growth as an emerging leader in his or her community.
Tramaine Brown, class of 2011, has a knack for developing community partnerships – something he has done in his hometown of Spartanburg and in the nation’s capital. Brown is an external relations program manager on Apple’s Inclusion and Diversity Team in Washington, D.C., where he focuses on building partnerships within the community to create opportunities for underrepresented minority college students interested in STEM careers in technology. Prior to joining Apple in 2015, Brown served in the White House as associate director of scheduling and advance, helping First Lady Michelle Obama engage with communities across the country and world. At Wofford he initiated the Wofford Math Academy, a tutoring and mentoring partnership with Cleveland Academy of Leadership.
The Terrier Club Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual or group for their faithful service and contributions to Wofford College Athletics and to the Wofford College Terrier Club.
The Atlanta Invitational Golf Committee was co-founded by Terrier baseball teammates, trustees and model alumni, Russell King, class of 1956, and Walt Sessoms, class of 1956. Through an annual golf tournament and other initiatives, the committee supports student-athletes on the Wofford baseball team through the Terrier Club. Representing the Atlanta Invitational Golf Committee is Frank Herndon, class of 1980 and committee co-chairman, along with Ed Wile 1971. Herndon played basketball for the Terriers and has been a member of the Terrier Club for more than 35 years. The Atlanta Invitational Golf Tournament, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, has raised over $1.5 million in scholarship dollars for Wofford student-athletes.
The Honorary Letterman Award is presented by the Wofford College Athletic Hall of Fame to a former athlete or coach who, by outstanding athletic achievement and service, has made lasting and significant contributions to the cause of sports at Wofford, the Spartanburg community, South Carolina and the nation.
Barry Foy, class of 1966, founded Britton Medical Inc. and led the company as president for 18 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Terrier Ball Auction and Gala, an event that celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and has raised more than $3.1 million in scholarship dollars for Wofford student-athletes. Foy, who was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Wofford, is a former Terrier Club president and Alumni Association board member. He is also a Terrier Club Board lifetime member and has been a loyal Terrier Club donor for 32 years.
The 20th annual Terrier Ball Auction and Gala will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Spartanburg Marriott. The event raises educational scholarship funds for Wofford student-athletes. Live entertainment will be provided by Party on the Moon. Tickets are $100 per person. Homecoming premium tickets are $185 per person and include a ticket to the Terrier Ball, a Homecoming football game ticket with walk-in access to the Verandah Parking Lot end zone area of Gibbs Stadium and a one-year 2019 Terrier Club membership at the Partner membership gift level. Tables of 10, with primetime seating and complimentary table service, are $2,000. For information, contact Mary Kathryn Jolly at jollymk@wofford.edu or 864-597-4468.
OTHER HOMECOMING WEEKEND EVENTS:
Friday, Oct. 18
Wofford Bookstore
9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jostens representative available with class ring information, 1-5:30 p.m.
Terrier Talks
2-3:15 p.m. and 3:30-4:45 p.m., various campus locations
Brief talks by alumni, students, faculty and staff. Registration will occur on a first come, first served basis.
6th Annual Black Alumni Summit
3-6:30 p.m., Meadors Multicultural House, Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village
Session is free; register at advance.wofford.edu/register/BASummit19.
Wofford Volleyball vs. University of Tennessee Chattanooga
6 p.m., Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium
50-Year Club Dinner (invitation only)
6-9 p.m., Piedmont Club
Members of the 50-Year Club and their guests are invited to this special dinner and program.
20th Annual Terrier Ball Auction and Gala
7-11 p.m., Spartanburg Marriott
Proceeds provide scholarships for Wofford student-athletes.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Wofford Bookstore
9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jostens representative will be available with class ring information, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tiny Terriers Dance Camp
9 a.m.-noon, Campus Life Building
Special dance class offered for girls age 4-14. Dancers will learn a routine and perform on the field during the football game with the Wofford College Dance Team. For more information, contact Christi Stanton at stantoncm@wofford.edu.
Volleyball Alumni Events
- 9:30 a.m., coffee and breakfast with team and coaches, Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium Volleyball Arena
- 10 a.m., alumni game, Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium, Volleyball Arena. Kneepads provided. All are welcome to participate or cheer for your teammates.
- Noon, alumni tailgate, Letterman’s Corner tailgate area between Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium and Gibbs Stadium off Cumming Street.
Wofford College Alumni Association Annual Awards Ceremony
10-11 a.m., Papadopoulos Room, Papadopoulos Building
Goldtones Rehearsal
10-11:30 a.m., Room 122, Montgomery Music Building
Current and former members of the Goldtones will rehearse the National Anthem and Alma Mater to perform at the football game.
Tours of Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts
10 a.m.-noon
Tour the galleries and meet current art and art history students and faculty.
Black Alumni Association Tailgate
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Meadors Multicultural House, Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village
The Black Alumni Association invites members and guests to a tailgate prior to kick-off. The cost of this tailgate is $20 per person, which also includes the post-game event.
Marys and Mimosas and Class Reunions
11 a.m.-1 p.m., mall behind Main Building
A casual gathering with mimosas and bloody marys. Cost is $5 for a wristband. The event will also serve as a special celebration for reunion classes (years ending in 4 and 9, as well as the Class of 2018).
Farmer’s Table Food Truck
11 a.m.-1 p.m., mall behind Main Building
The food truck will be located near Marys and Mimosas.
Pre-Game Fraternity and Sorority Life Reunions
Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village
TBD, Kappa Alpha Order Gathering
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kappa Alpha Theta Tailgate
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Kappa Delta Tailgate
TBD, Sigma Nu Brunch
11 a.m.-1 p.m., Zeta Tau Alpha Tailgate
Pre-Game ROTC Band and ROTC Flight Program Reunion
All members of the ROTC Band and ROTC Flight Program are invited to a reunion. For more information, contact Brig. Gen. Ed Y. Hall at aggie1937@att.net.
Wofford Football vs. Western Carolina University
1:30 p.m., Gibbs Stadium
Purchase tickets online at woffordterriers.com or call the Wofford Ticket Office at864-597-4090.
Black Alumni Association Post-Game Gathering
4-6 p.m., Meadors Multicultural House, Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village
Overtime @ FR8yard
5 p.m., FR8yard, downtown Spartanburg
Wofford alumni and friends will gather to relax, reminisce and enjoy live music from Vilai Harrington & the Hamptones with Vagabond Crowe. The event is hosted by the Wofford College Alumni Association’s G.O.L.D. (Graduates of the Last Decade) Ambassadors.
Sunday, Oct. 20
Wofford Bookstore
Noon to 3 p.m.; no Jostens representative on site.
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, S.C. It offers 26 major fields of study to a student body of 1,690 undergraduates. Nationally known for its strong academic program, outstanding faculty, study abroad participation and successful graduates, Wofford is recognized consistently as a “best value college” and is among the New York Times’ “Top Colleges Doing the Most for the American Dream,” a ranking based on accessibility for low- and middle-income students. The college community enjoys Greek Life as well as 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams.