Jan. 13, 2015

The University of South Carolina Athletics Department is pleased to announce a gift from a donor to establish a scholarship fund in memory of former football standout, former Gamecock Club Director, and USC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Ed Pitts.

The Ed Pitts Defensive Tackle Endowed Scholarship will honor Pitts, who is still regarded as one of the Gamecocks’ finest linemen, having starred for Carolina in the late 1950s. He lettered as a tackle for three seasons (1957-59) and was co-captain of the 1959 squad. He earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in both 1958 and ’59 and was selected to the Paul Williamson All-America team following his senior season.

Pitts served as co-captain of the North-South Shrine game in Miami, Fla. and later signed with the Boston Patriots of the American Football League before a knee injury during a preseason practice ended his playing career.

While at Carolina, Pitts received his bachelor’s degree in education and later earned a second degree in business administration. He served as a student assistant under Warren Giese in 1960 and then Marvin Bass in 1961. He was hired as a recruiter and as the head coach for the freshman football team in 1962.

A native of Clinton, S.C., Pitts served as the Gamecock Club Director for 22 years from 1962 to 1984. He was inducted in to the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. He passed away in November of 2014.

“We are thankful for the impact Ed had on our university and Athletics Department over his 40-plus years here,” said Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “Ed meant a great deal to a number of people in and around this community and a scholarship in his name is a terrific way to honor his legacy here at the University of South Carolina.”

For more information or to make a contribution to the Ed Pitts Defensive Tackle Endowed Scholarship, please contact Jay Brown at 803-777-5723 or by email at jaybrown@sc.edu.