July 9, 2002

Columbia, SC – Recognizing the school’s first NCAA title, South Carolina head track and field coach Curtis Frye was honored today by the Midlands Regional Convention Center Authority.

Bill Dukes, the chairman of the Midlands Regional Convention Center Authority, presented the award at the monthly board meeting with the Columbia Regional Sports Council and Convention and Vistors Bureau.

“The Sports Council is working to recruit more amateur track & field events to the metropolitan area. We believe that the successes realized by Coach Frye, his staff and his teams, are invaluable to our efforts and will result in the Midlands region attracting events we could not accommodate without his support and expertise,” Steve Camp, President/CEO, Midlands Regional Convention Center Authority.

Coach Frye, the Outdoor National Coach of the Year, praised the Midlands area for what he called a great model and vision.

“We were second the last few years so we had to win this year. Expectations are raised when you have success. (USC Athletics Director) Mike McGee has a lot to do with the success of our department, including our athletics department finishing 11th in the Sears Cup nationally this year,” said Frye. “We have a great product in Columbia. We need to work to host events here in the Midlands. We can work together to showcase the real South Carolina – one that is exhibits progress toward real inclusion for all South Carolinians. We are excited to see that vision created and continued.”