Oct. 11, 2012
By Larry Di Giovanni, USC Development Communications
On Nov. 8, a black-tie dinner gala will be held at The Zone in Williams-Brice Stadium to celebrate the Tommy Suggs Endowed Quarterback Scholarship. It is the first endowed scholarship for a named position on the Gamecocks football team.
Tommy Suggs, ’71, business administration, is President and CEO of KeenanSuggs Insurance in Columbia and the long-time radio color commentator for Gamecock football. He stands alone as the only Gamecock quarterback to beat Clemson three times as a varsity player, as well as the only signal-caller to win an outright conference championship –the ACC title in 1969.
“This scholarship is significant because it will stand the test of time, which is very important to me and the University of South Carolina,” said Suggs, who among his post-quarterback accomplishments, devised the “2001” theme as Gamecocks take the field. “I was very shocked and surprised by it and feel tremendously honored.” caption: Tommy Suggs, chair of Athletics’ Garnet Way campaign, is a member of the Carolina’s Promise Campaign Committee.
Susie VanHuss, who chairs the scholarship Steering Committee, notes that Suggs actually beat Clemson four times: In his first season it was with the freshman team. She and her husband Pat are neighbors of Tommy and Jane Suggs and consider them “extended family.”
“The scholarship recognizes Tommy not just for what he’s done on the athletic field, but even more so, for what he’s done off the athletic field,” VanHuss said. She commended Suggs for chairing Athletics’ Garnet Way campaign, and in the past for chairing fundraising efforts at the Darla Moore School of Business.
John Harloe, ’74, history, `75, MBA, an investment manager with Barrow Hanley in Dallas, is one of two scholarship supporters–along with Peter McCausland, ’71, history–who made lead gifts. To date, more than 100 donors have given over $350,000. Most gifts range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Harloe developed the idea of an endowed quarterback scholarship several years ago while dining in Dallas with Eric Hyman, Carolina’s former Athletics director. “It had never been done before,” Harloe said. “I thought it was a great idea.”
Harloe is a Sigma Nu Fraternity member, as is Suggs, McCausland, Alden Sweatman, ’63, and Stan Juk, ’67. Other Steering Committee members are Jimmy Addison, ’82, and The Honorable William Hubbard, ’74, ’77.
To give to the Tommy Suggs Endowed Quarterback Scholarship, contact Athletics Development Director Jeff Crane, (803) 777-7546; email: JDCRANE@mailbox.sc.edu
