Oct. 13, 2016

Story by Kyle Heck, Spurs & Feathers

In February of 2015, former South Carolina swimmer Chris Mercer was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. The prognosis was not good, but instead of giving up, Chris Mercer kept on enjoying life and his loved ones. Many treatments and three brain surgeries later, he’s still keeping that mindset, and on Tuesday, Oct. 11, Chris Mercer just expected to go into the office for an hour or so like he normally does.

However, his wife, Sharon Mercer, had other plans. She planned to take him to Columbia and the University of South Carolina, where they met and fell in love. She took the former Gamecock swimmer to the Carolina Natatorium in the Blatt P.E. Center, the home of South Carolina swimming and diving.

There, Chris was met by family, Gamecock Club Executive Director Patrick McFarland and head swimming coach McGee Moody. They took Chris into the locker room, where they showed him a locker that was dedicated to him and his brother, E.J. Mercer, another former Gamecock swimmer.

To read the full story from Spurs & Feathers, please click here.