Special Awards Recipients

Permanent listing of Special Awards and their recipients

BOBBY RICHARDSON SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Named for the Sumter, SC native who played second base for the New York Yankees in the early 1960s, this award reflects the personal character and moral strength of its namesake. The recipient should emerge from a proposed list of individuals who have edified the qualities of perseverance, teamwork, mentorship and sportsmanship. High moral character is essential.

2023 – Charlie Dayton, Greenville

2018 – Tim Bourret, Clemson

2017 – Danny Morrison, Charlotte

2015 – The Jacobs Family, Clinton

2014 – Billy D’Andrea, Clemson

2012 – Bobby Cremins, Charleston

2011 – Les Robinson, Sullivan’s Island

2010 – Armanti Edwards, GreeSavenwood

2008 – Andre Roberts, Columbia

2006 – Sam Gado, Columbia

2005 – Kevin Kimery, Columbia

FELIX "DOC" BLANCHARD CITIZEN FOR SPORTS AWARD

Named for the native South Carolinian who captured the Heisman Trophy while at West Point, this award is not necessarily for an athlete, coach or administrator, however, the recipient must have demonstrated a history of support for athletic endeavors that have benefitted the State of South Carolina. The perception is that this person has performed both behind-the-scenes and in leadership roles to advance the value of athletic endeavors in a community or across the State.

2023 – Rex Maynard, Belton

2018 – Louis Sossamon, Gaffney

2017 – Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Charleston

2015 – Gregg Nibert, Clinton

2011 – Shrine Centers of the Carolinas

2010 – Judge Sol Blatt, Jr., Charleston

HERMAN HELMS EXCELLENCE IN MEDIA AWARD

Named for the longtime sports editor and columnist of The State newspaper and co-founder of this organization, the recipient is selected from the very best of various media outlets covering sports within South Carolina. The media representative should exude impeccable fairness and dedicated service to the integrity of the industry.

2023 - Willie T. Smith, III, Greenville

2019 - Bob Gillespie, Orangeburg

2018 – Phil Kornblut, Latta

2016 – Bob Spear, Columbia

2015 – Warren Peper, Charleston

2014 – Rick Henry, Columbia

2013 – Ken Burger, Charleston

2012 – Bill Hamilton, Orangeburg

2011 – Ron Morris, Columbia

WILLIE JEFFRIES AMBASSADOR FOR SPORTS AWARD

Named for the longtime head football coach at South Carolina State University and SCAHOF inductee, the recipient should be someone who has brought great honor to the State of South Carolina, who has merited a high degree of national acclaim, and who has demonstrated consistent and spirited diplomacy in building friendships and coalitions that benefit others like his namesake.

2023 - Hootie & the Blowfish, Charleston

2019 - Julian Smith, Charleston

2018 – Sam Wyche, Greenville

2017 – Fisher DeBerry, Isle of Palms

2015 – Dawn Staley, Columbia

2014 – Mike Veeck, Charleston

2013 – John Rhodes, Myrtle Beach

2012 – Steve Wilmot, Hilton Head Island

2011 – Ray Tanner, Columbia

DOM FUSCI LEADERSHIP IN ACTION AWARD

Named in memory of our longtime board member and inductee, this award is for the individual who is a driving force behind the annual operations and camaraderie of the SCAHOF. The recipient should be recognized amongst peers for service that has profoundly advanced the functionality of the SCAHOF. Typically, this person is an active and indispensable member of the SCAHOF board of directors.

2023 – Doug Bridges, Columbia

2019 – Kay Fortune, Columbia

2018 – Paul Kennemore, Greenwood

2017 – Jay Pitts, Lexington

2016 – Julian Gibbons, Columbia

2015 – Sonny Dickinson, Columbia

2014 – Dennis Powell, Columbia

2013 – Jeff Grantz, Columbia

2012 – Ken Wheat, Columbia

SCAHOF SPECIAL RECOGNITION

The South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame Special Recognition for teams or individual accomplishments.

2023

Dawn Staley, USC, Naismith Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year

R.C. LaHaye, Lander Wrestling Coach, The Mat NCAA Division II Coach of the Year

2022

North Greenville Baseball, DII National Champions

University of South Carolina Women's Basketball, National Champions

2021

South Carolina State Football, HBCU National Champions

Clemson University Men's Soccer, National Champions

2018

Clemson University Football, National Champions

2017

University of South Carolina Women's Basketball, National Champions

2016

Clemson University Football, National Champions

2015

University of South Carolina Equestrian, National Champions

2011

University of South Carolina Baseball, National Champions

2010

University of South Carolina Baseball, National Champions