Sept. 16, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In recognition of a substantial gift to the Football Operations Center, the University of South Carolina has named the Garnet Way promenade in Gamecock Park in honor of former Gamecock quarterback Tommy Suggs.

The Tommy Suggs Garnet Way is the hub of activity on game day for Gamecocks gathering in Gamecock Park. Thousands of fans line this picturesque, tree-lined avenue two hours prior to each home game to watch the Gamecock football team make their way to Williams-Brice Stadium.

“The Suggs’ name is synonymous with Gamecock athletics,” said South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner. “Tommy and Jane Suggs’ significant gift to South Carolina Athletics will make a positive impact for our student-athletes and Tommy’s name on The Garnet Way will honor their commitment and dedication to Gamecock athletics for years to come.”

“My parents joined me in the Gamecock Club my junior year at Carolina. My family believed in giving back and Jane and I are pleased we can contribute to the many positive things happening at Carolina — both athletically and academically. Jane was the person who suggested The Garnet Way name and the excitement there on game day is a wonderful experience for both the fans and players alike. We are excited about the future of Carolina football under Coach Muschamp and glad to be supporters,” said Tommy Suggs.

The major gift will go towards the building of a proposed $50 million Football Operations Center that will be located adjacent to the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Football Facility. The state-of-the-art operations facility will provide the coaches and student-athletes with the ability to train and compete at the highest level. It will feature coaches’ offices, locker room, meeting rooms, a weight room, athletic training room, a dining room, a players’ lounge and an equipment room.

“The Suggs’ commitment to helping our football program compete at the highest level is so much appreciated by our student-athletes and coaches,” said South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp. “The Football Operations Center is a game changer for us.”

Suggs lettered from 1968-70 and is regarded as one of the school’s all-time premier signal-callers. Suggs ended his career at Carolina passing for more yardage than any quarterback in the history of college football in the State of South Carolina. He helped lead the Gamecocks to the 1969 ACC championship and Peach Bowl berth and was named MVP 1970 Gamecocks football team and MVP of the 1970 Blue-Gray All-Star Classic. Suggs was inducted into the State’s South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2012, friends and colleagues of Tommy and Jane Suggs established the Tommy Suggs Endowed Quarterback Scholarship to honor his long-time commitment to the University and Gamecock Athletics. The Tommy Suggs Quarterback Scholarship was the first endowed scholarship for the football program and is annually awarded to a Gamecock quarterback. Suggs will be entering his 44th year as color analyst for football with the Gamecock Radio Network. He served as chairman of the Garnet Way Capital Campaign from 2009-15 and is widely known as the creator of 2001 entrance for Gamecock football team. He has been a member of USC’s Development Foundation and also served on the USC’s Development Foundation Board since 2000 and was Chairman from 2004 – 2008. Tommy was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2012 from The Darla Moore School of Business.