Oct. 16, 2003
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Carolina Alumni Association will bestow Honorary Life Memberships on noteworthy non-alumni supporters of the University during the Homecoming Awards Gala on Oct. 24. USC Track and Field Head Coach Curtis Frye is one of three honorees.
“I am humbled by this recognition that the University has given to me,” said Frye. “To have been at Carolina for eight years and to have a lifetime honor is incredible. This is recognition of the program, coaches and athletes, not just of me. Each of them have a great deal to do with any recognition that I receive.”
Frye, who came to the university in 1996, led the 2002 Carolina women’s track and field team to the NCAA Outdoor Championship, the University’s first national championship in any sport, and guided the 2002 men’s track and field team to sixth-place finishes in both indoor and outdoor competition. In recognition of his achievement, he was named assistant coach to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
“I appreciate the support given to our program by the athletics department, academics, and the University,” added Frye. “This is a great institution that provides a great opportunity for athletes to come and get an incredible experience.”
In 2003, Frye led his women’s squad to a top-ten outdoor finish for the eighth consecutive season, a feat accomplished by only two other schools. He also guided Aleen Bailey to a sweep of the 100m and 200m national titles. The USC men’s squad earned a top-ten finish for the second-straight year in 2003.
Two of Frye’s athletes won U.S. Junior Championships in 2003 as Tawana Watkins took first in the women’s 400m hurdles and Kenneth Ferguson swept the men’s 110m and 400m hurdle titles. Ferguson went on to capture three gold medals at the 2003 Junior Pan American Games.
Frye also coached Allen Johnson to a record fourth World Championship in the 110m hurdles while another pupil, USC alumnus Terrence Trammell, placed second. Two former Gamecocks coached by Frye, Demetria Washington and Lisa Barber were part of Team USA’s World Champion 4x400m relay team.
The South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame honored Frye with a special achievement award earlier this year.
